OMAS puts Navy in predictive picture

The Department of Defence, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial

A computer generated oceanographic model. OMAS will allow the Navy’s METOCs to produce highly accurate three dimensional forecasts of temperature, salinity and ocean currents.

Research Organisation (CSIRO) are in the process of signing a memorandum of understanding to develop the Ocean Modelling and Analysis System (OMAS) on a cost-sharing basis.

The Department of Defence has allocated $5 million towards the total project cost of approximately fifteen million dollars and delivery date is expected to be by the end of year 2006. OMAS is a numerical oceanographic prediction model (a computer program) that can forecast the future state of the ocean using mathematical equations.

When the project is completed the Navy’s meteorological and oceanographic officers (METOCs) will be able to produce a three-dimensional forecast of temperature, salinity and ocean currents at different points of time in the future. OMAS will be integrated into the Tactical Environmental Support System (TESS 2) to assist in producing three-dimensional sonar predictions in excess of one week.

Having an accurate picture of how the ocean will look next week greatly assists warfare planners and commanders in making decisions on how to best use the Navy’s maritime sensors and weapons, particularly sonar.

There will also be derived benefits to a number of other Defence maritime activities, such as search and rescue, mine warfare, amphibious, diver and special forces operations. OMAS will put the Navy at the leading edge of technology in the area of environmental intelligence.

There will also be a relocatable component of OMAS so that METOCs can produce
hi-resolution forecasts in specific areas of interest or areas of current operations.

There is also a broader national interest as the BoM and CSIRO will also use OMAS for their own predictions/forecasts as well as for scientific research.

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