From severe typhoons to record-breaking heat waves, extreme weather events are escalating in intensity and frequency across the globe. As countries grapple with the mounting challenges of extreme weather, the aerospace and defense industry has reached an inflection point. Increasingly, we recognize that a more open, collaborative approach is essential to tackle complex global threats.
For an industry whose innovations are often shrouded in secrecy – not only to protect our competitive advantage but to maintain the edge over potential adversaries – collaboration and transparency don’t always come naturally. But the scale and urgency of the threat demand that we adapt our approach, pool our resources and expertise, and forge cross-border partnerships in pursuit of accelerating innovation and saving lives.
Himawari-10: Advancing weather prediction through an innovation ecosystem
L3Harris’ partnership with the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) on the Himawari-10 satellite, scheduled to launch in 2029, is a prime example of how a more collaborative approach to product development can deliver stronger outcomes that protect more communities from harm.
The Himawari-10 is the JMA’s next geostationary meteorological satellite and the fourth of its kind to be built by . In 2023, L3Harris was awarded a contract to build and deliver our advanced imager and hyperspectral IR sounder payloads to the satellite, improving weather prediction accuracy and enhanced environmental monitoring for extreme weather events that affect Japan and the Asia-Pacific region.
The imager on board the Himawari-10 will deliver enhancements beyond its predecessor, Himawari-8/9, including tailored Japanese spectral bands to supply the most advanced geostationary weather information for the international community. Our next-generation hyperspectral IR sounder will help enable precise measurements, including temperature and moisture and pressure profiles, throughout the atmosphere for improved forecasting of heavy rain and typhoon paths.
By combining L3Harris’ expertise in developing the world’s most advanced weather instruments with Mitsubishi Electric Corporation’s extensive experience with satellites, JMA will deliver a product that significantly advances global weather prediction and monitoring capabilities. It also points to a promising concept that could be applied in tackling other global challenges: “innovation ecosystems” that bring together stakeholders not only from within the industry but across government, academia and research institutions to rapidly advance ideas and technologies.
Fostering interoperability with common technology building blocks
The cutting-edge L3Harris technology used in the Himawari-10 mission is also benefiting other satellite customers around the globe. For example, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses the same imaging technology in its GeoXO satellite system.
The wider adoption of L3Harris sensors among international partners allows for a network of compatible systems that can share critical meteorological data on a global scale. We’ll continue to seize opportunities to use common technology building blocks to accelerate development timelines, foster interoperability between systems and drive efficiency.
Braving the storms together
The threat of extreme weather is growing each day. Developing the technologies needed to predict, track and protect lives and livelihoods from environmental disasters will require all of us – industry, government, academia and scientists – to collaborate in new ways and build differently. L3Harris’ work on the Himawari-10 is just one example of how pooling our expertise and building with interoperability in mind can deliver a stronger result. As we look ahead, let’s find more opportunities to innovate, adapt and cooperate across sectors and borders to protect communities, save lives, and safeguard our future.
For more information about how forecasters rely on L3 Harris’ detailed satellite data to keep people out of harm's way during extreme weather events, visit: Weather Satellite Technology.
