Field Systems Operations Center
(OPS2)
John Van Kuren
Director
Field Systems Operations Center
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Mission Statement
The Field
Systems Operations Center (W/OPS2), of the Office
of Operational Systems, provides overall National
Weather Service management, direction, systems operational support, software
engineering, and testing for operational surface observing systems, upper air
observing systems, and NOAA Weather Radio software as well as system operational
support and testing of Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS)
hardware and software.
It serves as the principal focal point for the
regions and field offices for systems operations support, site system management
activities, and problem solving. The Field Systems Operation Center also provides
operations requirements for planned improvements to field systems.
The
Field Systems Operations Center develops operating standards, procedures, and
documentation; manages quality control of surface and upper air observations;
and represents the NWS at international and interagency
organizations and forums. | The Field Systems Operations Center
has four branches:
AWIPS Support
Branch (OPS21) - Serves as AWIPS software second tier support
for field offices on operational issues via the Site Support Team
- COTR
for AWIPS operations and maintenance contracts
- Responsible for AWIPS software
testing and installation, including test and validation of installation instructions
Observing Systems Branch (OPS22)
- Manages upper air and observing systems
- Serves as principal focal point
for the field on surface and upper air operational issues
- Manages deployment
of surface and upper air systems enhancements and new systems
- Maintains network
configurations and reporting of stations
- Supports the Office of Science and
Technology in the development of new sensor technology
Software
Branch (OPS23) - Develops and maintains software for surface,
upper air, and NOAA Weather Radio systems
- Serves as principal focal point
for the field on software issues for NOAA Weather Radio systems, and second level
software support for surface and upper air software issues
- Maintains configuration
management system for surface, upper air, and NOAA Weather Radio operational software
Test and Evaluation Branch (OPS24)
- Performs system tests and operational test and evaluation of new and
modified surface, upper air, and dissemination systems as well as AWIPS hardware
- Develops test plans and test procedures and surveys
- Prepare reports and
recommendations on test results
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