A TCOM aerostat system. Photo: TCOM

Spire Global has received a five-year, multimillion-dollar award to provide weather forecasts for TCOM, an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) firm based in the United States. The subcontract will provide weather forecasts in ten sites where TCOM operates aerostats, which are aircraft that use a lifting gas to become airborne. 

Spire said this is the company’s largest numerical weather prediction deal to date. The agreement includes comprehensive weather forecasts, alerts that notify aerostat site operators if bad weather is forecasted, weather training for site managers and site leads, and a contact center offering weather information. Spire collects weather data through its constellation of more than 100 satellites. 

TCOM received the initial contract through a Department of Defense (DoD) Foreign Military Sales (FMS) award.

“Spire’s weather forecasts will play a crucial role in efficient and effective operations at aerostat sites,” said Matthew Barlow, program director for TCOM. “By providing accurate, timely weather forecasts, Spire will help site operators achieve maximum on station availability.”