Newcastle International Airport has embarked on a programme to replace its Primary Radar Surveillance System.
Work has begun to replace the Airport’s general surveillance system starting with the installation of the Thales STAR 2000 Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR), located at the north end of the terminal roof.
The Thales STAR 2000 is a well proven primary surveillance radar system offering high levels of reliability with an enhanced performance over the current surveillance system.
A wind farm mitigation element of the surveillance suite is also being installed by NATS with a Terma SCANTER 4002 primary surveillance radar located at the south end of the terminal roof. The SCANTER radar operates in a frequency band higher than the STAR 2000 enabling better discrimination of aircraft, resulting in a superior detection capability.
Together, the Thales STAR 2000, TERMA SCANTER 4002 along with a new Thales Radar Processing and Display system gives Newcastle Airport a modern and technologically advanced surveillance capability that will serve the airport well into the future.
Richard Knight, Operations Director at Newcastle International Airport, said: “We are delighted to announce the installation of a new surveillance radar system which sees Newcastle International at the forefront of aviation technology to support the long term future of the airport.
“This new system allows us to implement the latest mitigation strategy for areas of wind farm clutter.”
Kevin Tolcher, General Manager, Thales ATM activities, UK highlighted the following by saying: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with Newcastle International to replace its Primary Radar Surveillance System. We are continually improving our solutions to meet customers’ needs, recognising wind farm mitigation as a priority for our surveillance customers.”
The technology enables construction of Vattenfall’s 54.4MW Ray Wind Farm on the Ray Estate near Kirkwhelpington.
Alongside the installation of the new radars the airport is working on a revised wind farm mitigation policy, which is expected later in the year and may unlock additional wind farm sites across the north east.