Agile Weather Observations using a Dual-Polarization X-band Phased Array Radar

Dual-polarization, low-power X-band phased array radars offer an attractive radar technology for short-range weather observations. These systems offer 2-D phase-phase steering, without motors or other moving parts. Two-dimensional high-speed (inertia-less) beam steering combined with dual polarization, programmable/adaptive waveforms, and the ability to combine multiple radars into networks is leading to new atmospheric science research opportunities related to hazardous storm forecasting and response, understanding of cloud physics, water resource management, monitoring of the movement and dispersal of hazardous plumes, and other areas. Over the past three years, the Radar Science group at Stony Brook University in partnership with Raytheon Technologies has been experimenting with novel sampling strategies for weather observations using different generations of the SKYLER dual-polarization X-band phased array radars. Here, examples of weather observations collected by SKYLER are presented along with information on the novel observational strategies based on the Multisensor Agile Adaptive Sampling (MAAS) framework.