Members of the Launch Range Systems Wing, Space Launch Range System Contract Team and the 45th Space Wing participated in a ground breaking ceremony for construction of a new Eastern Range weather radar, Aug. 11. This new radar system will replace the aging WSR-74C Radar that was first fielded in the early 1970s.

Ground Broken For New Eastern Range Weather Radar

  • Published
  • By Patrick J. Carr
  • Space Launch Range Systems
Los Angeles Air Force Base --  Members of the Launch Range Systems Wing, Space Launch Range System Contract Team and 45th Space Wing participated in a ground breaking ceremony for a new Eastern Range weather radar system, Aug. 11. This new radar system will replace the aging WSR-74C Radar that was first fielded in the early 1970s.

"This (WSR-74C) radar is getting very expensive and hard to maintain. The new radar has commercial off the shelf products and will be much easier to maintain," said SMC's Range System Support Manager Walt Damewood.

The new radar will allow the 45th Weather Squadron to better support launch operations by evaluating lightning launch criteria, and improving local weather warnings including tornado, lightning and severe weather warnings.

"The 45th Space Wing and their customers including NASA will be thrilled when we deliver the increased weather capability to the Eastern Range," said Lt. Col. Stacy Exum, SMC Range Det. 1 commander.

The new weather forecasting instrumentation is due to be delivered to the 45th Space Wing in spring 2010.

 

United States Space Force logo

Official United States Space Force Website