Lockheed Martin Ventures Invests in Meteomatics: Revolutionizing Weather Forecasting with High-Resolution Models and Hyperlocal Drones
Today, Meteomatics, the pioneering weather intelligence and technology firm, disclosed the successful closure of a strategic funding round with Lockheed Martin Ventures, the venture arm of Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT). This strategic investment marks a significant step in Meteomatics’ mission to transform weather forecasting through cutting-edge technology.
Lockheed Martin Ventures’ investment will empower Meteomatics to scale its high-resolution weather and climate technology, reaching new heights in accuracy and reliability. The Pennsylvania-based company plans to utilize the funding to expand into diverse markets and industries, amplifying its impact on weather forecasting globally.
Meteomatics stands out as the sole entity employing a weather model with an unparalleled 1 km resolution, updating every hour and delving down to street-level precision, says a company release. This capability allows the identification of minute meteorological phenomena such as thunder, hail, and storms. In contrast, existing government and commercial weather observation technologies operate at resolutions ranging from 10-50 km and update only 3-4 times daily, leaving a significant gap in detecting and forecasting low-level airspace weather events.
To achieve such precision in weather forecasting, Meteomatics employs Meteodrones, weather drones capable of flying up to 6 km (20,000 feet). These drones collect data, combined with information from 110 other sources, to create high-resolution weather models. The result is unparalleled accuracy for hyperlocal weather impacts, aiding businesses in strategic decision-making.
Lockheed Martin Ventures strategically invests in companies at the forefront of core business and emerging markets crucial to Lockheed Martin. The investment will facilitate Meteomatics’ expansion into industries such as energy, aviation, insurance, defense, and government, while also paving the way for entry into new markets.
Chris Moran, Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin Ventures, commented on the potential impact of Meteomatics’ technology, stating, “Meteomatics’ weather intelligence has the potential to give the U.S. and its allies a better understanding of the dynamic environments in which assets and personnel operate, both improving operational effectiveness and reducing risk.”
Meteomatics has become a cornerstone for industry leaders, providing precision weather intelligence to companies like CVS Health, Tesla, Swiss Re, Airbus, Toyota, Volkswagen, and EDF Energy. Dr. Martin Fengler, Founder and CEO of Meteomatics, emphasized the critical role accurate weather forecasts play in informed decision-making for businesses facing an increasing number of extreme weather events.
Headquartered in St. Gallen, Switzerland, with operations in Germany, Spain, the UK, and the U.S., Meteomatics launched operations in the U.S. in 2023 with the country’s first Meteodrone at GrandSky Aviation Park’s Weather Operations Center.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
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