Update on

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• Update on
• Multifunction Phased Array Radar (MPAR)

ICMSSR 31 May 2007 Dr. Jeff Kimpel National
Severe Storms Laboratory
SPY-1D Phased Array Radar aboardDDG-79 USS OSCAR
AUSTIN
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Overview

• Background
• MPAR Status
• Benefits
• Cost Issues
• Future Efforts
• Recommendation

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Background - What is Phased Array Radar?
Planar phase front
Electrical added phase delay
Mechanically Steered, Rotating Reflector Array
Electrically Steered, Fixed Phased Array
VS
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Background - MPAR Program Origin

• NRC Report Beyond NEXRAD (2002), recommends PAR
  technology be developed as replacement for legacy
  weather radars
• In 2004, Federal Committee for Meteorological
  Services and Supporting Research (FCMSSR)
  directed an interagency Joint Action Group be
  convened to assess RD priorities for phased
  array radar
• Joint Action Group Report on Phased Array Radar
  RD Needs and Priorities published in June 2006
  and briefed to ICMSSR as multi-function
  capability for both weather and air surveillance

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MPAR Status

• Mission
• Evaluate new technology and develop the next
  generation MPAR network
• Develop interagency management structure
• Objective
• Develop affordable MPAR network for improved
• Weather data for aviation safety
• Numerical weather prediction (modeling)
• Airport efficiency and capacity
• Aircraft detection and tracking
• (cooperative and non-cooperative)
• Natural disaster warning response
• Homeland security (toxic plumes)
• Volcanic ash detection
• Wildland fire smoke detection

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MPAR Status - Evolution
2002
2000
2003
2007 2008 and beyond
2004
2005
2006
2001
2001-2005 Natl Wx Radar Testbed
2006 - 2010 MPAR Pre-Prototype
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MPAR Status
National Weather Radar Testbed Norman, OK
BACKUP SLIDES
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MPAR Status - Microburst Event

• MPAR captures 29 clear images and more data
  during the time it takes TDWR for 6, the result
  is better forecasts and earlier warnings

MPAR
TDWR
Strong updraft indicated by weak echo region
Rapid descent of high reflectivity
core
194112
194435
194651
MPAR
TDWR
Weak outflow in corresponding velocity field at
195103
Strong outflow at 195600
195015
195319
195634
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U.S. Surveillance Radar Networks Today
MPAR Status
NEXRADs
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Multi-Mission PAR for Tomorrow
MPAR Status
Joint Agency Group Recommendations
Future Concept
Today
Stove-pipedApproach
Affordable MultifunctionPhased ArrayRadar
(MPAR)

• Sustain
• PartiallyModernize
• Replace

Reduced number of radars Consolidated maintenance
and logistics infrastructure Enhanced capabilities
510 Radars, 8 Types
334 Radars, 1 Type
5000 ft AGL, Blue, weather only
Includes Operational CONUS radar only
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Benefits

• Potential replacement for aging fleet of
  mechanically scanning radars over next 20 years
• Allows consolidation of multiple single-mission
  radars into a single system, reducing national
  radar fleet by gt 40, saving nearly 5B over
  30-year lifecycle
• Provides both air and weather surveillance from a
  single radar site
• No moving parts, lower maintenance costs
• Multiple transmit/receiver components avoids
  single point of failure
• Scalable design of prototype will provide proof
  of concept for future MPAR

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Benefits

• Better weather measurements
• Rapid temporal sampling full volume scan periods
  lt 1 minute
• Electronic scan can be programmed to contours of
  the horizon, reducing ground clutter
• Adaptive dwell times/beam steering selective
  target revisit in seconds rather than minutes
• Split aperture correlation to estimate crossbeam
  wind component 3-D vector wind fields for
  assimilation into NWP
• Dual polarization for hydrometeor discrimination
• Increased safety and capacity in severe weather
  conditions
• Increased lead time for tornado warnings
• Increased lead time for flood severe weather
  warnings
• Better initializing of national numerical weather
  prediction models leading to improved forecasting

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Benefits

• Terminal En route surveillance
• Significant reduction in false track probability
• Vertical position measurement for dedicated track
  modes
• Very rapid track update rates in terminal area
• Homeland security
• Non-cooperative target tracking
• Wind field mapping for dispersion models
• Nuclear biological chemical (NBC) trackingRD
  needed
• Discrimination of non-meteorological hazards
  volcanic ash, airborne debris, smoke
  detection/tracking, biological scatterers (bird
  flocks), etc.

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Cost Issues

• What Drives Cost?

Concept of Operations (CONOPS)
Drives
Operational Requirements (User Needs)
Drives
Performance Requirements (Characteristics)
Scale
Drives
Radar System Architecture Design
MPAR Cost
Drives
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RF Solid-State T/R Module Trends
Cost Issues
Cost
Estimated Production Cost (K) per module
Power
System costs substantially reduced operation
costs lower every year
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Future Efforts

• Develop affordable MPAR prototype for civilian
  use
• Refine radar requirements and lay groundwork for
  MPAR cost/benefit analysis
• Implement 9-year Research and Development Plan
  proposed in JAG PAR report, culminating in full
  prototype
• Establish contacts/initiating partnerships with
  industry leaders in phased array technology
• Coordinate agency programming for MPAR risk
  reduction effort NOAA and FAA planning
  significant investments by 2009 DHS and DOD
  investments still TBD

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Future Efforts

• National Academies Board of Atmospheric Science
  and Climate enlisted to evaluate MPAR planning
  process to date and to make recommendations
• MPAR Symposium, 10-11 October, Norman, OK, will
  engage federal stakeholders, academia, industry
• MPAR WG will continue to refine user requirements
• -- Attend DHS/NORTHCOM Summit in Colorado
  Springs, 19-20
• June to pin down homeland air
  surveillance requirements
• -- Engage with JPDO to solidify NextGen
  aviation requirements
• Solidify technical requirements for MPAR system
  engineering trade studies to balance user needs
  with lowest cost
• Number of independent channels (TBD)
• Number of concurrent beams per channel (TBD)
• Number of T/R modules per face (TBD)
• Optimal scanning strategies (TBD)

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Tentative Timeline for MPAR Development
Future Efforts
Full MPAR Prototype
Decision Point
Calendar Year
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Recommendation

• Support MPAR Working Group Activities, including
  MPAR risk-reduction program

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Questions?