Wind Errors Using the Worldwide Loran Network

Abstract

It has been known that the Loran (Long Range Navigation) system can accurately provide a finescale structure of winds. However, this capability could not be widely adopted because of the limited coverage of this system in the continental United States and other parts of the world. Recently there has been a remarkable expansion of Loran chains throughout the Northern Hemisphere. In addition, the cross-chain navigation concept has virtually eliminated the gap through the midcontinent of the United States. The CLASS (cross-chain Loran atmospheric sounding system) developed at the National Center for Atmospheric Research has demonstrated the capability of measuring the finescale winds so necessary for mesoscale research. This paper provides the expected accuracy of the winds derived using the existing and planned worldwide Loran network. Appendices include derivation of the basic equations used to determine winds from CLASS and study the impact on noise of averaging winds beyond 30 seconds.