BOSTON – Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy and Congressman Barney Frank today announced that Lockheed Martin Sippican, Sea-Air Systems Division located in Marion will receive $4,625,000 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The funding will be used to provide up to 27,880 Global Positioning System Radiosondes and Radiosonde Signal Processing Units, which will assist the National Weather Service with mid and long term forecasts and models.

Radiosondes measure pressure, temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction.

“This technology will help us better understand the atmospheric and oceanic processes that determine the impacts of climate change on Massachusetts shorelines and communities,” said Senator Kerry. “This is a boon for Massachusetts businesses and for our environment. By constantly staying on top of the region’s ever-changing weather patterns, these new radiosondes will help our fishermen and others at sea come home safely.”

Melissa Wagoner, spokeswoman for Senator Edward M. Kennedy, said “Senator Kennedy commends Lockheed Martin Sippican’s Sea-Air Division for their cutting-edge work in assisting the National Weather Service. Massachusetts is proud to support NOAA in keeping our nation safer from weather-related events.”

“These funds will benefit the economy of Southeastern Massachusetts and help the area continue to expand its leadership in innovative maritime and climate related research. It also shows the importance of ensuring that agencies like NOAA are funded at sufficient levels, and I will continue to do all I can to work for that goal,” Congressman Barney Frank.

The GPS Radiosondes are launched from the 102 Upper Air Observing Network Sites via a “weather balloon” twice daily. NOAA and the Upper Air Observing Network are dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events.

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