Oceanographic models: recommendations for the Swedish Armed Forces

An overview concerning two approaches in oceanographic modelling is presented. The first one is one-dimensional modelling while the other one is a full three-dimensional model. The columnmodel is represented with Probe and the three-D model with MITGCM. The need for oceanographic information in the Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN) can be described as two-fold: In the planning of operations, oceanographic forecasts are needed to determine the tactical behaviour. After naval exercises there is a need to establish a recognized environmental picture. From the advantages and the disadvantages with the two model approaches the following is recommended: As a first step Probe will be implemented in a tactical decision aid called COMBIS. The main purpose with this software is to contribute to the education of sonar operators. The second step is to implement the three-D model MITGCM and run the model for both simplified and varying boundary conditions. The last step is to study the data assimilation scheme in order to improve the establishment of recognized environmental pictures. In order to meet the requirement of the RSwN to use oceanographic support during international operations the models are modified in such a way that if boundary data is available it should be possible to run the models over arbitrary areas.