Aerosol & Radiation (Code 7544)
Section Head: 7544@nrlmry.navy.mil

The Aerosol and Radiation Section is involved in a wide range of aerosol research and development activities designed to meet the Navy objective of aerosol characterization , simulation and forecasting for use in predicting electro-optical (EO) propagation and other constraints on operations. Our interests include global and regional models, and our research and validation instrumentation suite.  The NRL Aerosol Analysis and Prediction System (NAAPS) is our global aerosol model, and the newest version of the Coupled Atmosphere/Ocean Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS®) with an embedded aerosol prediction capability provides regional aerosol modeling capabilities.  Finally, the Mobile Atmospheric Aerosol and Radiation Characterization Observatories (MAARCO’s), allow atmospheric characterization and model validation.

The Aerosol and Radiation Section focus areas include:

Development of Multi-scale Predictive Models of Aerosols.

• Model initialization/data assimilation techniques.
• Microphysical parameterization schemes.
• Model validation techniques.
• Coupled and uncoupled techniques for aerosol & weather models.
• Developing high-resolution source databases
• Transitioning models to Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center for operational application.

Characterization of Aerosols.

• Determination of optical properties and accurate models thereof.
• Collection and interpretation of in situ and remote measurements of aerosols, radiation, and clouds
• Defining observational strategies for studies of atmospheric aerosols, radiation and clouds that benefit NRL research.
• Facilitating, planning, and participating in Navy and non-Navy field projects promoting NRL interests (eg. ADAM Field Experiment, PRIDE Field Experiment and UAE ).
• Participating in local, national, and international ARC observational networks of special interest to Navy.
• Providing an extensive web site for collection of real-time aerosol observations, imagery, and global and regional aerosol forecasts.

Impact of Aerosols on Tactical Decision Aids.

• Using aerosol models as input to the Target Acquisition Weapons Software (TAWS).
• Development of operational slant-range visibility products.

COAMPS® and COAMPS-OS® are Registered trademarks of the Naval Research Laboratory