Golden-based PlanetiQ Global Weather & Climate Solutions Inc. has been awarded a nearly $15 million contract by the Department of the Air Force to bolster the military’s commercial weather data capabilities. The $14,993,986 firm-fixed-price agreement, announced this week, marks a significant strategic investment in advanced satellite-based meteorological sensing.
The contract focuses on the development of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) Polarimetric Radio Occultation. This technology allows for more precise atmospheric profiling by measuring how satellite signals are refracted and polarized as they pass through the atmosphere, providing critical data on moisture levels and precipitation that are vital for global weather forecasting.
The award was issued as a Sequential Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Strategic Funding Increase. Key details of the acquisition include:
- The contract was awarded as a sole-source acquisition, reflecting PlanetiQ’s unique technical capabilities in this specialized field.
- Fiscal year 2025 research, development, test, and evaluation funds totaling $1,513,913 were obligated at the time of the award.
- The project is managed by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Weather Branch at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts.
All work associated with the contract will be performed at PlanetiQ’s facilities in Golden, Colorado. This multi-year initiative is expected to run through March 31, 2030, reinforcing the Denver metro area’s growing reputation as a hub for aerospace and atmospheric science innovation. By integrating commercial innovation into defense systems, the program aims to provide more reliable and granular weather data to support military operations worldwide.
Source: U.S. Dept. of War
