Local Rapid Evaluation of Atmospheric Conditions System
{{Multiple issues|
{{Orphan|date=September 2018}}
{{COI|date=September 2018}}
}}
The Local Rapid Evaluation of Atmospheric Conditions (L-REAC) System was a computerized weather sensor system designed by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) that became operational in 2011.{{Cite web|url=https://www.arl.army.mil/arlreports/2011/ARL-TR-5727.pdf|title=Local-Rapid Evaluation of Atmospheric Conditions (L-REAC™) System, Design and Development Volume 3 ("Operational L-REAC™")|access-date=|archive-date=2018-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828170243/https://www.arl.army.mil/arlreports/2011/ARL-TR-5727.pdf|url-status=live}}
Purpose
The system was designed to warn soldiers and civilians of airborne threats, such as chemical attacks or toxic spills.{{Cite web|url=http://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a577946.pdf|title=Local-Rapid Evaluation of Atmospheric Conditions (L-REAC®) System, Design and Development Volume 5 (Mobile L-REAC® System "Proof of Concept" and Four Feasibility Studies)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502065954/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a577946.pdf|url-status=live|archive-date=May 2, 2017|access-date=}} The purpose of L-REAC was to provide wind monitoring and modeling,{{Cite news|url=http://science.dodlive.mil/2012/04/06/army-lab-developing-gas-plume-detection-system-to-protect-soldiers-first-responders/|title=Gas 'Plume' Detection System to Protect Soldiers, First Responders|access-date=2018-08-28|language=en-US}} which acted as a decision aid for soldiers facing environmental hazards.
History
A research meteorologist at ARL developed the first L-REAC prototype.{{Cite news|url=https://techlinkcenter.org/atmospheric-monitoring-modeling/|title=Inspired by burn pits, real-time atmospheric monitoring and modeling could save lives {{!}} TechLink|date=2017-06-21|work=TechLink Center|access-date=2018-08-28|language=en-US}} After conducting a survey of commercially available technology from 2003–2007, ARL identified a need for a local atmospheric assessment system. Three studies conducted at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, in the early 2000s revealed a requirement for emergency first responders to have up-to-date atmospheric information on local conditions.
During the mid 2000s, it was also reported that U.S. Army soldiers stationed in Iraq were experiencing toxic fumes while working near burn pits.{{Cite web|last=Gail|first=Vaucher|date=2013-01-10|title=Saving Lives with L-REAC®, an Airborne Health-Hazard Decision Aid|url=https://ams.confex.com/ams/93Annual/webprogram/Paper217279.html|language=English}} The L-REAC concept was produced from 2009-2011 at White Sands Missile Range as part of a study investigating the airflow around an urban building and small building clusters.
In June 2017, ARL licensed the technology to Diamond B Technology Solutions in Billings, Montana.{{Cite web|url=http://www.montana.edu/techlink/defense.html|title=Defense TechLink - TechLink {{!}} Montana State University|website=www.montana.edu|language=en-US|access-date=2018-08-28}} Rebranded as LR-x, the system assisted in tracking environmental emergencies, such as wildfire smoke during fire suppression efforts.{{Cite news|url=http://diamondbts.com/products/lr-x/|title=LR-x - DBTS {{!}} Diamond B Technology Solutions|work=DBTS {{!}} Diamond B Technology Solutions|access-date=2018-08-28|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-08-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813224430/http://diamondbts.com/products/lr-x/|url-status=live}}
Operation
The L-REAC provided 3D weather models that generated wind field and plume outputs, displaying near real-time meteorological data on a map background. The models included terrain and buildings, and displayed danger zones and weather conditions (i.e. wind speed, wind direction, temperature, and relative humidity).