November 13, 2002
Climatronics' Sonimometer™ (Sonic Anemometer) is shown mounted on the Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) to measure the flight-level wind speed and direction. The TARS is a balloon-borne radar providing radar data in support of federal agencies involved in the nation's drug interdiction program. To adapt the Sonimometer to the TARS platform, we inverted the sections of the Sonimometer so that it would hang from the existing support structure. We also provided customized firmware to make its data stream compatible with the existing data collection system, eliminating the need for modifications to the customer's existing system.
The aerostat is a large fabric envelope filled with helium. It can rise up to 15,000 feet while tethered by a single cable, with a normal operating height of 10,000 feet MSL.
The radar data of the aerostat is available to the Air Marine Interdiction Control Center (AMICC) located at March Air Force Base, Calif., the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), and the operating locations. All radar data are transmitted to the ground station, then digitized and fed to the various control centers for display. Each operational location includes a blockhouse ground station, where a flight controller monitors the balloon's performance.
The requirement for the Tethered Aerostat Radar System network was established in 1984 by the U.S. Customs Service to help counter illegal drug trafficking. The first site was built at High Rock, Grand Bahama Island, in 1984. The second site was built at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., in 1986. Overall responsibility for the program was transferred to the Air Force in 1992.
Operational Sites: Yuma and Fort Huachuca, Ariz.; Deming N.M.; Marfa, Eagle Pass, and Rio Grande City, Texas; Cudjoe Key, Fla.; and Lajas, Puerto Rico.
Climatronics is a leading manufacturer of weather sensors and systems specializing in turn-key system integration and custom application. We supply and service our equipment worldwide and maintain a complete factory calibration facility at our corporate headquarters on Long Island, NY.
For additional information contact David Gilmore at 631-567-7300 or E-mail Climatronics Corporation at sales@climatronics.com
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