25 Jan 2006
The unique BAe 146 Atmospheric Research Aircraft (ARA) is set for a busy 2006 with twenty weeks scheduled on overseas detachments during the year, in addition to research campaigns from its home base at Cranfield, UK.
Owned by BAE Systems and converted by Regional Aircraft into probably the foremost atmospheric research aircraft in the world, the BAe 146 ARA is a vital tool in the study of weather patterns, climate change and global warming.
It is operated by the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) on behalf of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the UK Met Office.
NERC and the Met Office task the aircraft largely on the basis of bids made by Universities or specialist departments of the Met Office, and arrange the funding. FAAM implements the programme, arranging with Regional Aircraft to install new or different equipment as demanded by each mission.
In September/October this year Regional Aircraft will complete the design, approval, and certification for installation of a LIDAR, a vertical laser sensor, on board the aircraft. This will be able to fire upwards or downwards from a minimum height of 16,000ft. It will be used to measure chemical concentrations and the speed of microscopic particles in the atmosphere. This is believed to be only the second LIDAR installation on board an aircraft in Europe and one of only a few in the world.
Currently the aircraft is operating from Niamey, Niger on the DABEX mission (Dust and Biomass Experiment), This is investigating the radiative effects of dust and biomass aerosols emitted from the Saharan region. Later in February it transfers to Dakar, Senegal for the DODO experiment (Dust Outflow and Deposition to Ocean), which is looking at the effects of dust deposits on the North Atlantic Ocean and its effect on sea temperatures in nutrient-rich waters.
Other campaigns scheduled for the aircraft during 2006 are:
March/April TREX (Terrain Induced Rotor Experiment). Flying from Fresno, California on a joint US/European project to measure gravity and rotor wave activity in the lee of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
May/June CAESAR (Cirrus and Anvils: European Satellite and Airborne Radiation measurement project). Flying from Cranfield to study the radiative properties of Cirrus cloud over a wide range of wavelengths.
May/June VISURB UK (Urban Visibility in UK). A study looking at urban aerosols in the UK
May/June CAPEX (Clouds and Aerosol Portugal Experiment) a detachment to Portugal to sturdy aerosols.
July/Aug AMMA (African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses) return to Niamey for a major study on different aspects of air pollution caused by various effects from land
Nov/Dec IASI (Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer). Use of the BAe 146 ARA to help calibrate the instruments on board the Metop satellite due for launch in April 2006. Co-incident flights with US ER-2 or Proteus aircraft and French high altitude ballon.
www.faam.ac.uk for further details
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The Company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, combat vehicles, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years and is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems. BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The Company employs over 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately 14.8 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.
For further information, please contact:
David Dorman, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1582 488336 Fax: +44 (0) 1582 488447
ddaviddorman@aol.com
www.baesystems.com/ocs/others/aircraft/index.htm
