. "3 Needs for the Next Generation System." Evaluation of the Multifunction Phased Array Radar Planning Process. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2008.
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Evaluation of the Multifunction Phased Array Radar Planning Process
NEEDS VERSUS RESEARCH
The JAG/PARP report highlights the requirements for weather and aircraft surveillance as well as the potential for additional capabilities that could possibly be provided by MPAR technology. It lays out a Research and Development (R&D) plan to explore an MPAR architecture and additional capabilities that an MPAR system could provide. However, this can only be considered exploratory research of a promising technology. In order to achieve a focused R&D effort leading to a proposal for a replacement weather and aircraft surveillance system, specific program management criteria must be met. These are (broadly):
An agency or multi-agency agreement of ownership of the future system.
A multi-agency agreement of interest (acknowledgement as a user or clear beneficiary) and willingness to work with the owner(s) to establish requirements and budgetary support.
The development of nominal system architecture to meet expected US and US territory weather and aircraft surveillance requirements, which will allow meaningful cost-benefit tradeoffs and drive a focused radar, networking and communications R&D effort.
