A History of Weather Radar Research in the U.S. Air Force

The weather radar research program of the U.S. Air Force has a distinguished history of scientific productivity and resulting contributions to the Air Force, the meteorological community, and the nation. Many well-known scientists have been associated with this program as laboratory staff members, as visiting scientists, or as collaborators in joint research efforts. In addition to these direct connections with the broader scientific community, there have been indirect and subtle connections and influences as a result of the scientific work and publications of the program. In this historical review we trace the evolution of the program from its origins shortly after World War II through successive stages of scientific and technological advancement. The primary emphasis is on the years before 1971, and many distinct contributions of the individuals who have constituted this professional and personal “family” are highlighted. It is noteworthy that six of the first nine employees of this program were on the staff of Air Force Geophysics Laboratory (AFGL) as late as 1980 and that three have served in the weather radar program for more than 34 years.