Recent upgrades expected to prolong Jeffersonville NEXRAD Weather Radar’s lifespan

This allows the base to measure weather patterns and keep aircraft safe, while providing local meteorologists and weather forecasters the opportunity to detect weather systems.

JEFFERSONVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Robins Air Force Base says it has made much-needed upgrades to the NEXRAD weather radar in Jeffersonville. 

“What these improvements do, they’re robusting the system so that they are less prone to failure due to vibrations,” said Lt. Col. Keith Lefevre, Commander of the 78th Operations Support Squadron.

Lefevre says the Doppler radar rotates and pans up and down, shooting out a radio frequency system.

“We do that so we can see how far out clouds are and see what kind of convective activity is in the clouds,” Lefevre said. “And not only does it tell us how far the clouds are and it’s convection activity is, but it also tells us if it’s moving. And what direction it’s moving at and what speeds.”

This allows the base to measure weather patterns and keep aircraft safe, while providing local meteorologists and weather forecasters the opportunity to detect weather systems. The radar has been in operation since 1988. Lefevre says the most recent upgrades fixed the system’s failure points. This included replacing circuit cards and more.

The Robins Air Force Base’s NEXRAD Weather Radar is one of 159 in the country and covers a range of 200 nautical miles. Lefevre says the system makes everyday travel a whole lot easier.

“We transmit a lot of information that the local airports use to make sure that they not only keep general aviation pilots safe but also commercial aviation to make sure that they have a smooth ride when they’re flying back and forth,” Lefevre said. 

While the radar is aging, Lefevre says constant monitoring and improvements from the base will help keep it in operation and Middle Georgians informed.

“So, it just extends the life cycle of these systems to make them last longer,” Lefevre said. “And that way, the less likely they’ll go down, especially in times when we need them during storm season and such.”

The National Weather Service, the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Air force invested $150 million into NEXRAD weather radar upgrades across the country. The Air Force expects the upgrades to last the radars through at least 2035.