TSS Solutions completes service life extension program for 161 NOAA weather radars

TSS Solutions, an Acorn Capital Management Company, has completed a six-year radar antenna pedestal refurbishment for 161 WSR-88D Radars comprising the United States’ Next Generation Weather Radar network (NEXRAD). The project was part of the U.S. Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) NEXRAD Service Life Extension Program (SLEP).

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The pedestal refurbishment work performed by TSS Solutions on the nation’s NEXRAD Radar Network required removal of the radome enclosure and antenna from each tower to replace the pedestal with a remanufactured pedestal. The antenna and radome were then replaced and the system tested. (Photo: Business Wire)

The National Weather Service relies on the NEXRAD network to supply forecasters with detailed and timely data that is used to warn communities about severe weather threats. Originally deployed in the 1990s leveraging technology developed in the 1980s, NEXRAD underwent only incremental upgrades prior to the SLEP, which included 25 radar systems owned and maintained by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and 12 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) systems.

Minimizing downtime was mission-critical for the pedestal refurbishment, as NEXRAD is crucial to ensuring public safety as well as protecting commerce, maritime operations, and aviation. To accomplish this, TSS Solutions developed and employed a customized round-robin approach, which included shipping TSS-upgraded and thoroughly tested pre-assembled pedestals to the radar sites. This ensured an efficient installation process , no disruptions to schedules for other upgrades, and no compromise of NOAA’s operations.

“The importance of the work TSS performed for this SLEP cannot be overstated. These systems comprise critical national security, life-safety infrastructure,” said Don DiFrisco, President and CEO of TSS Solutions. “This project touched the very heart of the National Weather Service’s mission, as well as the missions of the FAA and DoD, and the outstanding work done by our technicians reflects the commitment to excellence that drives our team at TSS Solutions.”

Terry Clark, Director of the NEXRAD Radar Operations Center for NOAA, echoed the importance of the project. “Our contract with TSS on the Pedestal Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) assured NWS forecast operations and NEXRAD maintainability to be extended beyond 2035,” Clark said. “In addition, the improved system reliability into the future assures delivery of highly accurate and timely weather radar data that impacts 10 of 12 NWS service areas, ultimately protecting lives and our nation's emergency response to severe weather conditions.”

Read more about the pedestal refurbishment program: TSSsolutions.com/NEXRAD.

TSS Solutions is the defense electronics leader in upgrading, reengineering, repairing, and operating ground-based tactical and fixed-position radar and SATCOM systems. TSS Solutions serves the global defense, telecommunications, and commercial industries. The company is committed to building innovative products and delivering world-class engineering and technical services to support customers' missions globally. The team at TSS Solutions proudly supports the United States and its allies who protect national interests and preserve freedom and stability around the world. TSSsolutions.com.

Acorn Capital Management is a middle-market private equity firm focused exclusively on Aerospace, Defense, and Intelligence. Acorn invests solely in operating companies that strive to enhance global mobility and protect national interests. Acorn has a formidable reputation in the industry and is recognized for its deep understanding of the Aerospace and Defense markets, with proprietary access to the best companies within these sectors. With operational expertise and its ability to lead and manage investments through variable economic and industry cycles, Acorn works with management to build its portfolio companies into significant market leaders. Acorncapitalmanagement.com

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