DMSP will be used for strategic and tactical weather prediction to aid the U.S. military in planning operations at sea, on land, and in the air.

 

http://www.examiner.com/x-5181-Jackson-Weather-Examiner~y2009m10d18-New-Weather-Satellite-Launched-for-military-defense-DMSP-satellite

The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program is not exactly new. It has been around a long, long time. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_Meteorological_Satellite_Program

Now in its fifth decade of service, the DMSP has proven itself to be a valuable tool in scheduling and protecting military operations on land, at sea, and in the air. In December 1972, DMSP data was declassified and made available to the civil/scientific community. On June 1, 1998 the control and maintenance of the satellites were transferred to NOAA in order to reduce costs.