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AN/TMQ-31 Meteorological Data System


Primary function: To provide raw meteorological data.
Manufacturer: Flight Line & ETG
Length: 28.86 feet (8.97 meters) (mounted on M925 truck)
Width: 8.21 feet (2.5 meters) (mounted on M925 truck)
Height: 11.86 feet (3.61 meters) (mounted on M925 truck)
Weight: 90,000 pounds (40,860 kilograms) (mounted on M925 truck)
Wind speed:
NAVAID: less than 2 to 5 knots (2.3 to 5.75 miles per hour)
RDF: less than 4 knots (4.6 miles per hour)
Positioning:
LORAN: +/- 30 meters (98.43 feet)
VLF/Omega: +/- 200 meters (656.2 feet)
Azimuth/Elevation: +/- 0.05°
Temperature: 0.5° C (41° F)
Pressure: +/- 2 millibars
Humidity: 3 percent
Power: 230 Volts, AC, Single Phase, 50-60 Hz, 10 KW
Units: HQ Btry Artillery Regiments, Meteorology Section
Crew: 7 enlisted
Introduction date: April 1988
Unit Replacement Cost: $1,400,000

Mission: To provide meteorological data to artillery units such as wind speed and direction, humidity, temperature and pressure.

Features: The AN/TMQ-31, Meteorological Data System is an Army-developed system which provides raw meteorological data to a variety of users, primarily the field artillery. It consists of automated electronics components housed in an S-280 shelter. It is capable of tracking radiosondes by NAVAIDS or RDF mode, and pilot balloons with an electro-theodolite for visual flights. The basic system requires a large array of external supporting equipment, including: an AN/TMQ-4A system for balloon inflation and launch operations and surface measurements; two MEP003 power units and an M353 trailer; a 400-gallon water tank/trailer; an RDF antenna and modified M105 trailer; three five-ton 6x6 cargo trucks; and a crew of seven.
The AN/TMQ-31 MDS is capable of using NAVAIDS (LORAN, Omega, VLF/Omega, RDF) or manual modes in the acquisition of meteorological data. Automatic operations using NAVAIDS extend to 75 kilometers (46.56 miles) with a dipole antenna, and 165 kilometers (102.46 miles) with a reflector antenna. Automatic RDF operations extend to 160 kilometers (99.36 miles) using a dish antenna, and manual operations are limited to available ceiling/line-of sight. The system can be operational in 15 minutes (NAVAID) or 30 minutes (RDF).

Inventory: 18

Background: The Army developed the AN/TMQ-31 Meteorological Data System during the early to mid-1980s to replace the antiquated AN/GMD-1B Rawin Set as the source of meteorological data for the field artillery and other target acquisition assets. While the Marine Corps did not fully support the Army's requirements (too heavy, bulky, etc.), developing a system unilaterally was not feasible.


Date last modified: 05/21/96


Last Modified on June 17, 1999
aalbert@biggerhammer.net