See-through-the-Sensor Ballistic Wind Measurement

In the See-through-the-Sensor Ballistic Wind Measurement SBIR project, BCI will examine the expected performance and integration approach to transition existing modular weather radar processor software technology developed and fielded for the US Navy and US Air Force to the Armys TPQ-50 and TPQ-53 radar systems, with the end-goal of providing high-fidelity weather measurements for use in ballistic trajectory correction estimates and hazardous weather warnings. The SBIR initially focuses on these two radar systems since they are managed by PM Radars in Aberdeen Proving Grounds, but the technology and capabilities will be developed to support expansion to other ground-based radars that may be suitable such as the MPQ-64 Sentinel and MPQ-53 Patriot radars. BCIs through-the-sensor weather processing on the TPQ-50 and TPQ-53 will provide capabilities that are not currently available to the Army without a dedicated weather radar, enhancing the Armys capability to accurately locate and engage enemy artillery positions and providing hazardous weather detection which support for troop movement planning, helicopter flight operations, and other non-artillery-centric Army activities, particularly when Air Force weather data are unavailable.