DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000
NAVY PENTAGON
W
ASHINGTON DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 5250.4
N2N6E
9 Sep 2019
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 5250.4
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: OCEANOGRAPHIC AND ATMOSPHERIC MASTER LIBRARY
IMPLEMENTATION AND APPLICATION
1. Purpose. This instruction establishes responsibilities and procedures for the accreditation,
configuration control, and application of naval standard meteorological and oceanographic
(METOC) models, algorithms, and databases used in operational sensor and weapon
performance prediction systems. In addition, it provides policy that accredits METOC models,
algorithms, and databases as a Navy standard for use in tactical decision aids, forecasting
services, modeling and simulation programs. This instruction promotes an infrastructure, where
configuration management (CM) processes governing Navy standard METOC models,
algorithms, and databases will exist. The repository of these configured items is known as the
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Master Library (OAML).
2. Background. The Oceanographer of the Navy (OPNAV N2N6E) is responsible for
advancing METOC knowledge and technology for application to military operations and to the
design, development, and testing of military weapons, sensors, and platforms. This mission
includes the formal responsibility for standardization and accreditation of METOC models,
algorithms, and databases within the Navy.
3. Applicability. The policy and procedures set forth in this directive are applicable to all naval
activities and to commands and activities that develop, produce, and implement naval standard
models, algorithms, and databases, which use METOC data and information to support naval
operations and acquisition programs. These procedures encompass the quality control,
configuration, and security of software, firmware, hardware, and systems, ashore or afloat.
These policies apply to dual-use modeling and simulation items used by fleet units for operations
and training, but not to central-site numerical modeling activities when such items are governed
by Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (COMNAVMETOCCOM)
administrative management oversight panel.
4. Definitions
a. Navy Standard METOC Models and Algorithms. Synthetic reconstructions of the natural
physical environment, which enable the nowcast and other forecasts of future states and
conditions, which therein impact sensor, weapon, and platform performance and safety of
operations. Algorithms include other computer software which may be used for assimilation,
prediction, or exploitation of physical environmental data and information.
