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Instrument

APR-2
Airborne Second Generation Precipitation Radar

The Airborne Second Generation Precipitation Radar (APR-2) is a cross-track scanning, dual-frequency airborne precipitation radar. It measures radar backscatter from rainfall to provide measurements of reflectivity, Doppler velocity, and linear depolarization ratio (LDR). APR-2 operates at 13.4 GHz and 35.6 GHz and has a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of 5000 Hz. At a flight altitude of 11,000 feet, it has a horizontal resolution of 730 m at 13.4 GHz and 920 m at 35.6 GHz. APR-2 has a vertical resolution of 60 m and a ground swath width of 10 km.

Image of the APR-2 during the CPEX campaign
NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory passes Antarctica's tallest peak, Mount Vinson, on Oct. 22, 2012, during a flight over the continent to measure changes in the massive ice sheet and sea ice. Credit: NASA/Michael Studinger (Photography courtesy NASA Images)

Instrument Details

Radar
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Radar > Doppler Velocity
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Radar > Radar Reflectivity
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Precipitation Rate
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Radar > Radar Backscatter
Full Column Profile
Variable
730 m, 920 m, 60 m (vertical)
13.4 GHz, 35.6 GHz
https://doi.org/10.1117/12.579015External Link

Filter data products from this instrument by specific campaigns, platforms, or formats.

Campaigns
CAMPAIGNS
Platforms
PLATFORMS
http://dx.doi.org/10.5067/GRIP/APR2/DATA201External Link
http://dx.doi.org/10.5067/NAMMA/APR2/DATA201External Link
10.5067/GPMGV/GCPEX/APR2/DATA101External Link
10.5067/CAMEX-4/PR2/DATA003External Link