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Technical Challenges and Unified R&D Plan. Presentation for the. Executive Council for Multifunction Phased Array Radar FCMSSR. Douglas E. Forsyth National Severe Storms Laboratory Executive Director for Facilities and Strategic Planning Chief, Radar Research and Development Division.
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Technical Challenges and Unified R&D Plan Presentation for the Executive Council for Multifunction Phased Array Radar FCMSSR Douglas E. Forsyth National Severe Storms Laboratory Executive Director for Facilities and Strategic Planning Chief, Radar Research and Development Division December 2009
Background • OFCM’s initial MPAR study – June 2006 • “Federal Research and Development Needs and Priorities for Phased Array Radar” FCM-R25-2006 • Included technology, operations concept and network concept elements • Original timeline – overcome by events • Adjustments needed based on advances in science and technology
Background • NRC Study - 2008 • “Evaluation of the Multifunctional Phased Array Radar Planning Process” • Expansion of R&D Plan to provide detailed descriptions of tasks, priorities, costs, and key decision points • Frequent updating of the R&D Plan • Staged development • Line-replaceable units (sub-arrays) • Single antenna face • Two Faces • Four Faces - Prototype
Current Activities • Technical Issues being Identified • Individual Organizations & Collaboratively • NWRT – NOAA, FAA/BCI, DHS, OU • FAA – LL • FAA - GTRI • NOAA SBIR - FreENT • NOAA BCI Contract • NOAA OU Grant
Current Activities • Technical Issues • Dual-Polarization – Phased array • Cross-polarization isolation • ZDR Accuracy • Beam width • Simultaneous vs. Sequential operations • Cost trade-offs and design space • Antenna design • Frequency – multiple Frequency
Current Activities • Technical Issues • Multifunction • Scan Strategies • Maintenance and Logistical support • Mechanical & Electrical Reliability • Displays and Decision making tools • Multi-face Operation • Thermal Management • Sensitivity
Current Activities • Technical Assessment Program (TAP) • FAA and NOAA • Create process to define and address technical Challenges facing MPAR– Risk Reduction Matrix • FAA contract with GTRI to support • Refine technical issues and related research objectives • Starting Point for updated R&D plan • IAA between FAA and NOAA
Next Tasks • TAP • Open solicitation and proposals • White Paper • Select/fund developers • White Paper development (proposals) • Down select/fund technology and demonstrator to address one or more TAP research objectives • Technology Demonstrator • Build and test proposed subsystem demonstrator
Next Tasks • Update R&D Plan • Include TAP Technical issues and related research • Leveraging of existing technology to address issues requiring full antenna (e.g. EQ-36/ EMMR) • Allocating unaddressed research goals to laboratories
Recommendation • Task WG/MPAR • Complete comprehensive update of MPAR R&D plan. • Include extended applications (bird hazard, volcanic ash, wildfire/smoke) • Update plan as needed annually thereafter.
Questions? THANK YOU