Multiple National laboratory and University partnership to develop dual polarization weather radar for the FAA

MIT Lincoln Laboratory (LL) has been tasked by the FAA to develop NEXRAD dual polarization weather radar products to be used in aviation weather systems. LL has provided past non-dual polarization NEXRAD products that are key components to multiple FAA aviation weather systems. In 2011, the NEXRAD network will enter an 18 month dual polarization capability upgrade cycle. LL currently has in development new dual polarization weather radar products to describe the icing and hail hazards within the radar volume. Also, mprovements based on dual polarization concepts are in development for the existing NEXRAD Data Quality Assurance and High Resolution VIL algorithms. LL has partnered with the dual polarization, icing, and hail subject matter experts at both the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) to further the development of these products before the NEXRAD network is upgraded. Further, LL has partnered with Valparaiso University to use their dual polarization weather radar to study and verify winter weather observations. This paper will discuss the products in development, the contributions to those products from the various partners, and future expectations.