Exelis-built AHI sensor. Photo: Exelis

[Via Satellite 12-20-13] Exelis is supporting Japan’s weather forecasting capabilities with the delivery of its first advanced weather satellite payload to Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. The AHI is an Advanced Baseline Imager-class sensor similar to the one that will be integrated onto the NASA and NOAA Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R (GOES R) Series.

“AHI provides a number of improvements compared with current capabilities including better forecasting, improved numerical weather prediction accuracy and enhanced environmental monitoring,” said Eric Webster, vice president of weather systems, Exelis Geospatial Systems.

Mitsubishi Electric will integrate the AHI into the Himawari 8 satellite for the Japan Meteorological Agency. The Himawari 8 and Himawari 9 geostationary satellites will replace the Multifunctional Transport Satellite (MTSAT) series. Himawari 8 is scheduled to launch next year. Both Himawari satellites are dedicated to a meteorological mission, unlike the MTSAT series, which performs both meteorological and aeronautical functions.

Exelis is in the process of building and delivering seven advanced imagers: two for Japan; one for South Korea; and four for NASA and NOAA.