Evaluation of the Multifunction Phased Array Radar Planning Process Curtis Marshall, Study Director

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Evaluation of the Multifunction Phased Array
Radar Planning ProcessCurtis Marshall, Study
DirectorBASC Board MeetingWashington, DCMay
18, 2007
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Background

• Request from the Office of the Federal
  Coordinator for Meteorology (Sam Williamson) for
  NRC evaluation of MPAR planning process to date
• Funding 212K
• Proposal sent to OFCM in April
• Target start date June 2007

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Statement of Task

• Evaluate the planning to date related to
  continued development of multifunction phased
  array radar (MPAR)
• Consider the report Federal Research and
  Development Needs and Priorities for Phased Array
  Radar issue in June 2006 by a Joint Action Group
  (JAG) of the (OFCM)
• Consider information from an MPAR Symposium to be
  hosted in part by the OFCM in September 2007 and
  other information about the MPAR planning
  process.

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Statement of Task

• Examples of the issues to be addressed include
• Has the planning process to date been
  comprehensive and inclusive?
• Does the JAG report identify the full range of
  benefits, costs, challenges, and potential
  participants (weather information as well as
  information useful to other purposes such as
  observations of dust, smoke, hazardous
  dispersions, aircraft surveillance)?
• Are the cost estimates provided to date
  realistic? Do they represent the best available
  information? Are there any potential life-cycle
  benefits or costs that are not considered?

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Statement of Task

• Are there are any significant gaps or errors in
  the initial planning?
• Have appropriate areas of uncertainty been
  identified and follow-on risk assessments
  conducted?
• Based on the information available, should the
  MPAR planning process go forward and, if so, what
  improvements might be recommended?

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Committee Expertise

• Scientific Expertise radar meteorology,
  aviation weather, cloud microphysics, aerosols,
  turbulence and dispersion, signal propagation and
  remote sensing, radar technology and development
  
• Other Expertise (committee or meeting speakers)
  cost-benefit analysis, processing real-time
  information for decision support, operational
  expertise (both the weather and air traffic
  communities), agency input from personnel who
  have actually procured radar systems and phased
  array systems in the past.

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Action Items

• Volunteers for Nominations Subcommittee
• Board member for committee membership
• Nominations for committee membership (following
  receipt of project funds from OFCM)
• Contact Curtis Marshall (cmarshall_at_nas.edu)