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Multi-Mission Phased Array Radar (MPAR)
Under NSSL's leadership, an ambitious plan is currently being formulated to transition from a number of radar systems, used for aircraft surveillance and weather observations, to a single, multi-function, phased array radar. Research and development to replace existing civilian radar networks with a single MPAR network will require:
- Construction of a prototype MPAR unit;
- Proof of operational concepts carried out at the National Weather Radar Testbed using NSSL's prototype MPAR;
- MPAR network concepts refined using the NWRT, other research radars, and data analysis from legacy radar systems.
Technological advantages:
MPAR may enable average tornado lead times to be extended to 45 minutes by issuing warnings based on forecasts from earlier precursor conditions. (larger image)
Current civilian radar systems for weather and aircraft use a rotating antenna with a reflective surface that shapes and directs the transmitted beam. The radar beam sweeps a volume of space around the radar as the antenna continuously rotates on a vertical axis. The reflector is tilted to change the angle of the beam from the horizontal. In a phased array radar, an array of radiators shapes and steers the transmitted beam electronically by controlling the phase and the off-on pulsing of the other radiators in the array. It is this ability to form and steer a radar beam that permits multiple functions to be performed with the same radar unit: hence, a multifunction phased array radar, or MPAR. The electronically scanning array panels respond more quickly, flexibly and at a higher resolution than the rotating antenna systems in use today.
MPAR would expand our current weather surveillance network, replace the Nation's aging air traffic surveillance radars, and meet homeland security and defense requirements for identifying and tracking non-cooperative aircraft over the U.S. A single network of MPAR units, each capable of performing multiple functions, could theoretically replace seven aging, single-function conventional radar networks. It is projected that one MPAR network meeting multiple national needs can be developed, implemented and maintained on a lower cost per life cycle than would be required to sustain the existing conventional radar networks through upgrades and required maintenance.
Projected Savings
35% reduction in radar surveillance units to provide current weather and aircraft radar coverage
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$1.8 billion saved on replacement acquisition costs
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$3 billion saved in life-cycle costs projected over 30 years
Benefits of MPAR include:
- Enhanced weather surveillance
- Adaptive sensing will lead to continued improvements to the severe weather warning system for tracking tornadoes, strong wind gusts, hail and locally heavy rains responsible for flash floods and mudslides.
- More precise hazardous weather information affecting flight safety and airspace capacity will provide economic efficiency to domestic aviation and surface transportation systems.
- Better weather data will be used to initialize runs of numerical prediction models.
- More detailed atmospheric observations will improve air quality nowcasts and forecasts, climate variability monitoring and forecasting, and wildfire monitoring and prediction,
- The ability to see fine-scale wind fields will lead to better atmospheric transport and diffusion modeling of chemical/biological/radiological hazard tracks.
- Enhanced aircraft surveillance
- Homeland security will benefit from MPAR's non-cooperative aircraft tracking capability in U.S. airspace.
- Commercial aviation will benefit from aircraft tracking capability.
SUCCESS: The FAA has installed and tested an aircraft tracking processor that runs independently from the NWRT, but uses the same data stream.
- Significant long-term cost savings
An MPAR network using affordable phased array technology will provide unprecedented weather observing and forecasting, critical surveillance support for homeland defense, save lives and protect property, and provide economic benefit to the Nation.
