NEXRAD detects, processes and distributes for display hazardous and routine weather information. Through a joint program, the Department of Commerce’s National Weather Service (NWS), Department of Defense (DoD), and FAA developed NEXRAD.

NEXRAD systems are Doppler weather radars that detect and produce over 100 different long-range and high-altitude weather observations and products, including areas of precipitation, winds and thunderstorms. This weather information provides the location, time of arrival and severity of weather conditions to determine the best routing for aircraft. The NWS collects and redistributes NEXRAD weather data from NWS radars as well as some of FAA's 12 radars and creates forecasts that are used in all phases of flight. The FAA's Weather and Radar Processor, Integrated Terminal Weather System and Corridor Integrated Weather System process NEXRAD products and services.

NEXRAD radars are essential for forecasting weather. A cooperative program with partner agencies will upgrade NEXRAD radars with a Service Life Extension Program to modernize and renovate the existing system of radars.

Benefits

NEXRAD systems increase aviation safety with accurate and timely detection of hazardous weather conditions. They reduce weather-related arrival and departure delays, which saves fuel consumption. In-flight icing and hail detection algorithms have enhanced overall data quality in present-day NEXRAD. Additional investment into these algorithms is necessary to provide anticipated benefits.

Current Goals

The NEXRAD systems were initially deployed from 1992-1997 with an expected 20-year service life; however, the Tri-Agency partners — NWS, DoD and FAA — plan to keep NEXRAD in full operation through 2035 and beyond. 

NEXRAD Sustainment is a refurbishment program to extend the service life of FAA-owned NEXRAD systems.  

NEXRAD Sustainment 2, approved on September 15, 2021Л has two main purposes:

• Provide continued support for product improvements to the legacy NEXRAD program in accordance with the Tri-Agency Memorandum of Agreement.  Each year, the FAA pays a pro-rata share of NEXRAD Product Improvement (NPI) Science Evolution costs;
• Install hardware and software technology refresh updates on the 12 FAA-owned NEXRADs 

NEXRAD Sustainment 3 has three main purposes:

• Provide continued support for product improvements to the legacy NEXRAD program in accordance with the Tri-Agency Memorandum of Agreement  
• Perform hardware and software technology refresh updates on the 12 FAA-owned NEXRADs
• Perform System Life Extension Program (SLEP) 
   

Current Challenges

Technical upgrades are necessary to enhance NEXRAD and provide air traffic control with weather detection equipment to improve safety by detecting and characterizing hazardous weather phenomena. NEXRAD requires a major Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) to remain in operation.

NEXRAD SLEP is a 9-year refurbishment program to extend the service life of FAA-owned NEXRAD systems. With NWS as the lead agency, the Tri-Agency partners use currently 160 NEXRAD systems. FAA owns and operates 12 of the NEXRAD systems with 7 located in Alaska, 4 in Hawaii and 1 in Puerto Rico.

FAA's NEXRAD SLEP program will provide funds for FAA's share of the overall NEXRAD mission and will ensure that FAA's priorities are included in the planning for NEXRAD sustainment.