Feasibility Test of an Airborne Pulse-Doppler Meteorological Radar

Abstract

A vertically scanning, airborne, pulse-Doppler radar is described. Data processing methods to yield pseudo-dual-Doppler horizontal winds are presented. Results of an intercomparison with a ground-based dual-Doppler network are presented and discussed. These results indicate that the accuracy of the Doppler estimates are not seriously degraded by the aircraft's motion in a nonturbulent environment. Reasonable wind velocities were obtained in a stratiform precipitation (pre-warm-frontal) regime despite relatively long time periods for data gathering (?20 min). Potential error sources are discussed, with the principal conclusion being that the uncertainty in the airborne Doppler mean velocity estimates are slightly larger than would be expected for a ground-based Doppler. However, the time period over which data are gathered is much longer than for a ground-based dual-Doppler network. Potential modifications to the antenna and data system to improve data quality are also discussed.