NSSL hosts national symposium on Multifunction Phased-Array Radar

The latest developments in adapting phased array radar technology to weather, aviation and surveillance uses were highlighted at the Multifuntion Phased Array Radar (MPAR) symposium hosted by NSSL October 10-12, 2007 at the NWC. The symposium was sponsored by the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology.

Formal presentations, senior-level panel discussions and exhibits of the latest phased array radar technology were on the agenda. Panels of invited speakers from government, academia, and the commercial sector provided ample opportunities for discussion.

The symposium aimed to advance the state of MPAR research and development and to further document the needs of the radar user community, which include surface transportation, aviation, severe weather forecasting, meteorological research, emergency management of landfalling hurricanes, flood forecasting and water use management, and aircraft/un-manned aircraft systems surveillance over the homeland (both cooperative and non-cooperative).

The MPAR Symposium was a success with 181 participants. Presenters included senior policy level officials from four federal agencies (DOT, DOC, DHS, and DOD), all three services (Army, Navy, Air Force), four Fortune 500 companies (Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Harris), five smaller radar component manufacturers, and five university groups (OU, MIT, Colorado State, UMASS, and NCAR). Media coverage was provided by reporters from the local ABC, NPR, NBC, and FOX TV/radio stations, and the Daily Oklahoman and Norman Transcript.

Our Nation’s legacy radar systems are aging and will need replacement. MPAR offers the most significant new technological capability to address both current and anticipated radar needs and gaps, as well as a single technological pathway. Its versatility and adaptive scanning capability addresses a wide array of national surveillance needs, both for weather and aircraft. See http://www.ofcm.gov/mpar-symposium/index.htm for more information.