In the aerospace and aviation sector, Greenwood Aerospace has established itself as a key provider of government contract services, providing essential supply chain solutions for government and military aerospace programs. 

With over four decades in government procurement, we’ve become a preferred resource for many top-tier defense contractors, armed forces, and government agencies in the U.S. Our comprehensive range of services includes: 

Our reputation and dedication have been demonstrated time and time again in the fulfillment of aerospace program needs for a variety of government agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the National Oceanic, and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Department of Energy (DOE). 

One of our most notable programs to date has been our work with the Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Research Measurement (ARM) facilities in the Southern Great Plains. Through this relationship, we’ve provided aircraft, flight, and logistics support for critical atmospheric programs. 

In this article, we’ll discuss the important mission of the Southern Great Plains (SGP) Research Facility and our involvement in helping their program reach success. 

About the United States Atmospheric Research Initiatives

Atmospheric research in the United States has evolved over many years, with multiple agencies, organizations, and initiatives playing roles at various times. This research is of paramount importance for several reasons. It plays a crucial role in enhancing our understanding of the Earth’s atmosphere and its interactions with the planet’s surface, ecosystems, and oceans. It helps scientists and government agencies better understand: 

  • Climate change and global warming
  • Weather forecasting 
  • Air quality and public health
  • Natural disasters 
  • Economic impacts of atmospheric changes
  • How to preserve ecosystems

Atmospheric research has been of natural interest for a long time, with its origins dating back to the establishment of the National Weather Service (originally the Weather Bureau) in 1870. Numerous organizations and agencies are focusing on atmospheric research today, including the NOAA, NASA, and DOE.  

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Biological and Environmental Research, the ARM program is one of the primary efforts by the U.S. government to understand the physical processes of the atmosphere better, especially as they relate to climate change and the role of clouds and aerosols.

Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) 

In 1989, the ARM program was created in response to growing concerns about global climate change and the realization that there was a lack of empirical data regarding cloud and radiative processes, which are fundamental to improving climate models. The ARM program's establishment and its continued operations showcase the U.S. government's recognition of the critical role of atmospheric processes, especially radiation and clouds, in global climate systems. 

With this funding, the ARM program established several ground-based, mobile, and aerial research sites worldwide. These sites, known as the ARM Climate Research Facilities (ACRF), provided continuous, long-term measurements of atmospheric properties. 

ARM Climate Research Facility (ACRF) 

The ARM Climate Research Facility operates multiple research sites worldwide, from the Arctic to the tropics, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of various atmospheric regimes. Through its in-depth research and vast datasets, ARM has been instrumental in advancing the scientific understanding of atmospheric processes and their implications for global climate change.

ARM also has established several long-term fixed research sites that provide various observational capabilities. These sites include:

  1. Southern Great Plains (SGP): Located in Oklahoma, it is the first and largest of the ARM facilities.
  2. North Slope of Alaska: This northern facility focuses on cold climate and arctic processes.
  3. Eastern North Atlantic: Located on the Azores Islands, it provides insights into marine cloud systems.

So, what exactly do these facilities study? Some of the core areas and topics include: 

  1. Radiation: ARM investigates the effects of clouds, aerosol, and water vapor on the Earth's radiation balance. This includes both solar radiation (sunlight) reaching the Earth's surface and terrestrial radiation (heat) emitted by the Earth back to space.
  2. Cloud Processes: Clouds play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's temperature. ARM studies the life cycle of clouds, including their formation, development, and dissipation, and how these processes impact the atmosphere's radiative properties.
  3. Aerosol Properties and Processes: Aerosols, tiny particles suspended in the atmosphere, significantly affect the Earth's radiative balance, cloud formation, and precipitation processes. ARM investigates the sources, properties, and effects of aerosols.
  4. Water Vapor: Being the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, water vapor has a major influence on the Earth's radiation balance. ARM studies the distribution of water vapor and its interaction with other atmospheric components.
  5. Land-Atmosphere Interactions: ARM looks into how the Earth's surface and the overlying atmosphere interact, influencing weather patterns, cloud formation, and energy exchange processes.
  6. Model Evaluation: Observational data collected by ARM is used to validate, refine, and improve climate models. By comparing model predictions with real-world observations, researchers can enhance the accuracy of climate simulations.
  7. Atmospheric Dynamics: The ARM facility investigates atmospheric dynamics, including vertical and horizontal air movements, to understand factors influencing weather patterns and climate phenomena.
  8. Precipitation Processes: This involves studying the mechanisms behind rainfall and snowfall, including the role of clouds and aerosols in precipitation formation.

To conduct its research, ARM heavily relies on the application of advanced remote sensing instruments. These tools, encompassing radars, lidars, radiometers, and a variety of other instruments, are pivotal in gathering intricate data on atmospheric properties. These devices are adept at providing profound insights into aspects like cloud properties and the distribution of aerosols. 

In addition to these stationary measures, ARM also embarks on intensive field campaigns across different global regions. These campaigns are meticulously designed to address and probe specific atmospheric phenomena or pressing questions. During these missions, there is a heightened focus on data collection, and to achieve this, ARM deploys an amalgamation of both fixed and mobile facilities, ensuring comprehensive data capture.

Recognizing that not all atmospheric phenomena can be studied from fixed sites, ARM has mobile facilities equipped with the necessary instruments to study specific atmospheric events or processes. They also fund the ARM Aerial Facility (AAF), which provides airborne measurements using instrumented aircraft to gather data on aerosol properties, radiative fluxes, cloud microphysics, and atmospheric structures.

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ARM Aerial Facility (AAF) Operations

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The aerial component of the ARM Climate Research Facility's research is crucial because aircraft can gather data that ground-based instruments cannot. The ARM Aerial Facility (AAF) provides a range of capabilities to obtain measurements at various altitudes and over areas not accessible by ground instruments. Much like the Hurricane Hunters of the NOAA, AAF aircraft are capable of: 

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  • Vertical profiling of the atmosphere 
  • Mobility for capturing events like aerosol plumes, storm systems, or cloud formations
  • In-situ measurements of aerosols, gasses, cloud particles, and other atmospheric constituents 
  • Combining aerial data with satellite and ground-based data 

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While ARM's ground instruments provide continuous and long-term monitoring at fixed locations, the AAF offers the advantage of flexibility, mobility, and the capacity to capture a diverse range of atmospheric conditions and phenomena across varying spatial and vertical scales.

ARM Field Campaigns 

ARM's field campaigns are intensive research operations focusing on specific atmospheric phenomena, regions, or research questions for a set period. These campaigns are designed to gather concentrated and specialized data sets that might be beyond the scope of routine observations. By targeting particular areas of interest or addressing emerging research questions, field campaigns help advance our understanding of complex atmospheric processes and their implications on climate.

A standout tool in these campaigns is the ArcticShark uncrewed aerial system (UAS). Managed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for the Department of Energy and operating from the Blackwell-Tonkawa airport in Kay County, Oklahoma, the ArcticShark specializes in capturing atmospheric data that's difficult to obtain from ground or satellite sources, which has been especially important in studying aerosols aloft. 

In addition to the ArcticShark, ARM has also explored potential campaigns at the Bankhead National Forest atmospheric observatory in Alabama. These continual expansions signify ARM's commitment to diverse and meaningful data collection that benefits the global scientific community.

AAF’s aircraft play a major role in these campaigns. They can be deployed directly into the heart of atmospheric phenomena, whether the eye of a storm or a developing cloud system, allowing researchers to gather direct and in-depth data from the source. 

AAF Fleet & Equipment

Over the years, the ARM Aerial Facility (AAF) has used a variety of aircraft, each designed to address various atmospheric research needs. Each aircraft is equipped with a unique set of instruments and sensors, allowing for flexibility and precision in data collection. 

Types of aircraft in AAF's use include: 

  1. Research Jets: These high-altitude aircraft can reach the upper and lower stratosphere. They're ideal for studying high-altitude phenomena and for taking broad regional measurements.
  2. Turboprop Aircraft: Offering a balance between range, endurance, and maneuverability, turboprop aircraft are suitable for medium-altitude operations. They can be used for a wide variety of missions, from studying cloud microphysics to aerosol sampling.
  3. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): UAVs provide the advantage of operating in conditions that might be hazardous for manned aircraft. They are also useful for long-duration missions, as they are not constrained by human endurance.

Initially, AAF employed a Gulfstream-159 (G-1) for its central missions, but in 2019, the DOE-funded the acquisition of a Bombardier Challenger 850 regional jet. The recently procured Challenger 850 is not just a replacement for the G-1 but an enhancement. 

The Challenger 850 can double the G-1's maximum elevation for scientific study, reaching up to 40,000 feet based on temperature and weight considerations. This altitude enhancement is pivotal for research, allowing for sampling high cirrus clouds. Additionally, the jet can swiftly ascend or descend to specific areas of interest, providing diverse aerial sampling opportunities.

Thanks to the size of the jet, it’s also able to accommodate more instruments and up to seven researchers, addressing a limitation faced with the older G-1. This expanded capacity means that the new jet can support more extensive field campaigns, flying both low and slow for specific experiments and venturing to higher elevations safely, even during stormy weather conditions.

How Greenwood Aerospace Helps

Over the years, Greenwood has provided fixed-wing aircraft, hangar space, and logistics support to many atmospheric research projects. Our noteworthy contributions to the SGP and ARM Climate Research Facility (ARCF) are a testament to our dedication and professionalism in the field. 

One notable endeavor was supporting an in-situ aerosol profile (IAP) campaign. Between March 2000 and June 2005, ARM operated a Cessna 172 from our facilities in Ponca City, Oklahoma. This aircraft made routine airborne measurements of aerosol optical properties over the SGP site. By 2005, we helped ARM transition to a more advanced aircraft, the Cessna 206. This upgrade increased the number of altitudes, which expanded to 12 and reached approximately 5,300 meters. The Cessna 206 was further enhanced with an improved inlet, facilitating the sampling of supermicron aerosols. 

Through our government contracting services, ARM could continue working toward its mission of better understanding the Earth’s atmosphere. 

About Greenwood Aerospace’s Government Contracting Services

Our track record, underscored by our pivotal role in the ARM aerial operations, speaks to a broader competence and reliability that has set Greenwood Aerospace apart in the world of government contracting. 

When governmental bodies, from local to federal, seek someone who understands their projects' intricacies, importance, and demands, they frequently turn to experts they can trust. With a legacy built on delivering results and exceeding expectations, Greenwood Aerospace has firmly established itself as a reliable resource in the realm of government contracts. Our commitment to excellence and a comprehensive understanding of complex projects makes us a trusted ally to mission success.

Let’s look closer at the breadth of government contracting services we offer. 

Providing Reliable Aircraft and Flight Support

Our range of services is expansive, but we truly excel in aircraft leasing and fixed-wing acquisition and support. These specializations position us as the go-to partner for those seeking streamlined, efficient, and reliable flight solutions.

A standout aspect of our offerings is the diverse range of aircraft we can procure, tailored to various needs and requirements. Every aircraft we acquire, support, and lease undergoes meticulous assembly and specialized mission integrations. Leveraging our deep industry expertise, we provide thorough market assessments and suggest the most appropriate aircraft that aligns with the specified timeline and budget constraints.

Our special mission platforms experience includes: 

Our esteemed clientele is a testament to our credibility. Catering to such distinguished clients, known for their exacting standards, not only underlines our reputation but also reinforces our capability to consistently deliver on our promises.

Seamless Logistics and Coordination

We understand that the complexities of aerospace programs extend far beyond just the aircraft. That’s why we provide a holistic approach to our services, including seamless logistics and coordination support with:

As a leader in aerospace parts supply, Greenwood boasts an expansive inventory, including proprietary and aftermarket aircraft parts. Our commitment to excellence is evident in our impressive stock, swift procurement capabilities, and dedication to meeting specialized needs. 

Situated in Ponca City, OK, our centralized location services clients from all over the U.S. We prioritize our partnerships with esteemed corporations, streamlining the storage and distribution processes for aerospace parts, ensuring our clients experience unparalleled efficiency and service.

Our centralized program management can facilitate the rapid procurement of ground support equipment, whether sourced directly at the location or from our extensive network of trusted suppliers. We also offer top-notch aviation logistics, ensuring that projects are managed seamlessly, market trends are assessed accurately, and the essential parts and equipment are procured effectively. 

Leveraging Advanced Technologies

We've heavily invested in our innovative capabilities as we endeavor to stay ahead of the curve. The result? Our proprietary software, Greenwood Parts Intelligence (GPIQ). This state-of-the-art system empowers us to source parts with unparalleled speed and precision, setting us distinctly apart in the industry. Designed with special mission aircraft prime contractors at its core, GPIQ harnesses the power of market intelligence and value enhancement tailored specifically to the aircraft we support.

Understanding the quintessential need to keep aircraft airborne for the success of any government program, GPIQ is finely tuned to adapt to your evolving requirements. The robust software ensures all suppliers undergo rigorous onboarding checks and detailed qualification tests, offering insights into their past performances. From there, it ingeniously refines and enhances labor-centric tasks, making the entire supply chain process faster, more efficient, and virtually error-free.

But GPIQ doesn't stop there. With the integration of predictive analytics, it anticipates future demands, paving the way for effective supplier risk management. This foresight leads to streamlined supply chains, ultimately minimizing costs for all involved stakeholders. GPIQ's true strength lies in its ability to function as a strategic part of the team, diligently overseeing your procurement expenses over the long haul, ensuring you always obtain what you need at the most competitive rates.

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