The Advanced Technology Demonstrator: An S-Band, Dual Polarization, Phased Array Radar at the National Weather Radar Testbed

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have jointly funded the design and development on the Advanced Technology Demonstrator (ATD) over the last 5 years. The ATD is a dual polarization, active electronically scanned array radar built specifically to evaluate the dual polarization capability of a phased array radar. This proof-of-concept phased array radar will be used to demonstrate calibration processes, to demonstrate dual polarization performance, and to demonstrate surveillance of weather and aircraft using a dual polarization phased array radar.

The ATD was installed at NSSL's National Weather Radar Testbed (NWRT) beginning in July 2018. The development team began calibration and performance exercises following several weeks of ATD system integration. The ATD is scheduled for an Initial Operational Capability demonstration to being in March of 2019.