1. MWA Director’s Report Alan Whitney MWA Project Meeting Canberra 19-23 January 2009

2. Topics Progress Challenges Looking forward

3. Progress Highly successful Nov 07 site visit –32T tiles/beamformers and four recvrs deployed; software correlator –~1.5TB of 26T data collected on several sources –Highly successful image making –Performance verified to be close to expectations –Sets the stage for full 32T demonstration over next few months NSF review in Boston last week –Happy with the 26T results we presented –NSF understands budget shortfalls due to delays and technical problems –NSF remains committed to project, but is watching closely –Supplemental funding a possibility

4. More Progress Good progress on hardware correlator Project and budget are rapidly shaping up Tight and effective management team Interim Project Director (Alan Whitney, Haystack) Interim Project Manager (Steven Tingay, Curtin) Interim Project Scientist (Lincoln Greenhill, CfA) Interim Project Engineer (Frank Briggs, ANU) Commissioning Engineer (David Emrich, Curtin) Deputy Project Managers −Roger Cappallo (U.S.) −Uday Shankar (India) −ST currently filling in (AU)

5. Near-term challenges Successful AAL review to release NCRIS funds –Must meet prescribed criteria, including – Full project and budget plan for array completion – mid Feb 09 Successful 32T operation w/ hardware correlator – mid-09 –First stage review to release 1 st funding increment; 2 nd increment targeted for array completion in mid-2010 –Still much work to do –Quite optimistic Must find permanent PM –Steven has agreed to stay until ~Jun 09 –Actively interviewing candidates –To be based in Perth – Facing challenge to stretch funds to full 512T

6. More near-term challenges Settle disposition of several workpackages –Receiver –Clock distribution system –RTC selection Communications –Geographic and institutional dispersion presents many challenges –Good project management communications, but still wider project challenges –Suggestions welcome –New website coming along; see preview at www.mwatelescope.org

8. Looking forward Technical elements are now coming firmly together, but still a few rough spots to overcome Hope to report on full 32T success plus substantial new contributions to MWA coffers at Seattle meeting in June! We are on-track to complete the array in mid-2010! Projection – optimistic! Community interest remains very high

9. Thanks to everyone for their hard work, teamwork and dedication!