Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:17:16 -0400
From: "JC.Duh"
Subject: AWIPS II Software Release
I understand there is high interest in the users community in receiving
the AWIPS II software that is currently under development. The
participation and inclusion of the Academic and Unidata communities will
be critical to the continued growth of AWIPS II and NAWIPS capabilities.
However, it is premature to release the AWIPS II software to the broader
community at this time based on the following rationale:
* Stability of the micro-releases. Raytheon is delivering updates in
micro-releases. This is critical to the rapid identification and
resolution of problems as we near our release and testing dates.
However, the stability of the most recent set of micro-releases is
still not ideal. Even given the willingness of the university
community to tolerate these errors, NWS is not comfortable
releasing the software in this state to the broader community.
* Support workload: Given the issues noted above, much of the burden
of support would fall on Unidata. A potentially significant
workload is envisioned until the stability of the micro-releases
improves.
* Packaging an “open source” release. As Jason Tuell briefed at the
recent Unidata Policy Committee meeting, - an analysis of the
AWIPS II software is necessary to identify any software component
that is unique to NWS operations, and where broader distribution
might pose security risks.
The currently planned completion date of the AWIPS II development is
March 15, 2010, and after the development is completed, NWS will start
the system Operational Test & Evaluation (OT&E) of the AWIPS II
software. I believe the development completion date, currently planned
to be March 15, 2010, is a more appropriate date for releasing the AWIPS
II software to the broader community, and I believe the additional 7
months will be worth the wait.
The schedule for the NAWIPS migration to AWIPS II remains the same. It
is targeted for completion in the last quarter of 2010 with deployment
for early calendar year, 2011. Thus, NAWIPS capabilities in AWIPS II
will not be available to the broader community until mid-2011.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
V/R
JC
--
J. C. Duh; Ph.D.
Chief, Programs and Plans Division
Office of Science and Technology
NOAA/National Weather Service
(301) 713-3400 Ext. 126
jc.duh@noaa.gov
Unidata's GEMPAK/NAWIPS Migration Information
