June 17, 2013
WindTracer: Unparalleled Wind Resource Assessment

A field experiment to validate WindTracer^® lidar measurement accuracy demonstrates WindTracer’s unparalleled wind resource assessment capability by showing comparisons between measurements made with WindTracer and traditional in-situ anemometers and short-range vertical lidars. The high resolution three-dimensional wind maps from actual WindTracer measurements have none of the limitations and uncertainties of the currently used modeling methods, showing the potential value of WindTracer data in improving turbine micro-siting by greatly reducing resource assessment uncertainty.

The experiment was held from January to March of 2013 in the proximity of the NOAA Boulder Atmospheric Observatory in Colorado, home to a 300 meter open lattice meteorology tower. The three-month study was conducted according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) recommended practices for verification of remote sensing devices. The results indicate good agreement in wind speeds and direction between data from four separate validation platforms in three distinct locations, separated by several kilometers, and data gathered from WindTracer systems located 2 to 6 kilometers apart. The two WindTracers accurately measured the wind from several kilometers away using both single and dual synthesis methods.

The complete dataset is being rigorously analyzed to develop robust conclusions about the accuracy of both single- and dual-Doppler retrieval methods relative to the performance of in-situ measurements. Lockheed Martin will examine how the measurements can improve project output and how this impacts Net Present Value (NPV) and project financing. The ultimate objective of all the analysis is to estimate the ROI of using WindTracer for resource assessment and provide a compelling case for WindTracer to become a standard industry tool that will take wind energy resource assessment to the next level.

May 29, 2013
WindTracer Now Operates at Frankfurt and Munich International Airports

The German Weather Service (DWD) has installed WindTracer lidars at the Frankfurt and Munich airports as part of the Low Level Wind Shear Alert System (LLWAS). The LLWAS will provide new data covering the terminal area and issue wind shear alerts.

WindTracer has made a significant contribution to aviation safety with its wind shear alerting capabilities. Lidar is recognized by the global aviation community as a proven technology that significantly enhances situational awareness of wind shear – defined as sudden changes in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance.

By adding WindTracer systems as part of the LLWAS at the two largest airports in Germany, DWD will take a leading role in Europe, following ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Recommendation Annex 3 Chap. 7 to provide concise information on wind shear which could adversely affect aircraft on the approach or take-off path.

February 13, 2013
WindTracer® Achieves Major Airport Efficiency Enhancements

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has applied hundreds of thousands of research measurements made by WindTracer^® Doppler lidar to redefine flight rules, achieving major efficiency enhancements at U. S. airports. The FAA granted approval for San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to conduct dependent arrival operations on their closely spaced parallel runway (CSPR) pairs. Full News Release

October 11, 2011
WindOptimizer™
Lockheed Martin has used One Network Enterprises Developer Network (DevNet) to develop its ground-breaking renewable energy application WindOptimizer™. WindOptimizer addresses the dilemma that has long been a barrier to the wider adoption of wind as a source of energy; wind, by its nature, is intermittent and variable, and therefore less reliable than conventional sources of electric energy. The Lockheed Martin solution integrates high resolution 3D sensor data from its WindTracer® lidar technology directly to wind fleet operations to provide accurate predictive intelligence to wind farm operators. Full News Release

September 20, 2012
WindTracer^® will be showcased at Meteorological Technology World Expo 2012 in Brussels, on October 16-18, 2012 at stand 4100.

Jerry Pelk, senior manager of Product Design Engineering, will present the spectacular results we have obtained using WindTracer lidar system to assist safe airport flight operations. 1 - 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 16.

WindTracer systems have been used to detect hazardous winds for approximately one million flights worldwide, and measure wakes for more than 100,000 flights in the United States and Europe.

April 1, 2012
WindTracer^® will be showcased at EWEA in Copenhagen, on April 16-19, 2012 at stand C1-B8.

Lockheed Martin will feature the latest results from the revolutionary new application of our 3D WindTracer^® lidar and the derivative products – WindProspector^TM and WindOptimizer^TM – for extensive wind energy resource prospecting and improved wind forecasting. 

March 5, 2012
WindTracer® Selected for Thailand International Airport

The Thai Meteorological Department will install a WindTracer lidar at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport as part of its Integrated Windshear Alerting System. WindTracer will be an integral component of the system and will monitor atmospheric conditions and measure wind speed and wind direction along the airport’s flight paths. Full News Release

December 1, 2011
Fishermen’s Energy Installs WindTracer®

Early in November, a team of Fishermen’s Energy engineers and specialists from Lockheed Martin installed a WindTracer lidar on the rooftop of a seaside apartment building in Margate, New Jersey. The system is used for wind resource assessment of two off-shore wind farms:  one at 2.8 miles off the coast of Atlantic City, in NJ state waters and the second at 10 miles off shore in federal waters. Full News Release

January 13, 2011
Kansai Airport Installs WindTracer®

Japan Meteorological Agency has installed the fourth WindTracer® lidar system  that currently operates at the Kansai International Airport in Osaka. WindTracer is monitoring wind activity and low-level wind shear to provide advanced warning of wind hazards. The system is continuously scanning the approach and departure corridors to increase air safety at Kansai. Full Story