Tactical and Survival Specialties (TSSI) boasts it produces what it terms "the greatest weather observation device available", with its TSS-Metkit-1 and-2 Weather Observation kits. Produced in response to a Department of the Army Operational Need Statement, the one-man portable Miniature Observation Kit consists of one Kestrel Pocket Weather Tracker (see Armada issue 4/2003 page 104), a Lighted Survey Master--which is a dual-function instrument incorporating a direct sighting compass and inclinometer -and miniature helium tanks with 100 28-cm pilot balloons. The kits are available with either 6.8 or 11 kg weights, differing only in the size ,of the helium tang used. The kits can be jumped in by a single parachutist, which cuts in half the manpower needed for previous weather monitoring equipment. The US Air Force Combat Controllers with the Special Tactics squadrons at Pope Air Force Base, a division of the 720th Special Tactics Group, have voiced nothing less than respect and admiration for the Kestrel 4000 unit, which itself was modified to fit JSOC developmental requests. The US Army has funded the first procurement of the Weather Observation kits and deliveries should have been completed by the time these lines are read.
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