Maintenance Work on NWS KIND Radar Ongoing

NWS Indianapolis 88D Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) - Generator (March 2023)

Beginning Thursday, March 23rd, 2023, the KIND WSR-88D operated by NOAA’s National Weather Service in Indianapolis, Indiana, will be down and offline for approximately seven days for the replacement of the generator, fuel tanks, and accompanying components. This activity is important to support the radar’s operation during periods of commercial power outages, specifically when hazardous weather is present.

This generator update is one of five major projects of the NEXRAD Service Life Extension Program, a series of upgrades and replacements that will keep our nation’s radars viable into the 2030’s. The National Weather Service, the United States Air Force, and the Federal Aviation Administration are investing $150 million in the seven-year program. The first project was the installation of the new signal processor, and the second project was the transmitter refurbishment. The two remaining projects are the refurbishment of the pedestal and equipment shelters. Pedestal refurbishment for the KIND radar is scheduled for early October 2023. The Service Life Extension Program will complete in 2023.

WSR-88D Radar Network

The WSR-88D is part of a network of 159 operational radars. The Radar Operations Center in Norman, Oklahoma, provides lifecycle management and support for all WSR-88Ds, including the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP).