"Runway debris detection system lands at Heathrow"

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Airport unveils debris radar
United Kingdom - The Press Association


A high-tech new radar that will scan Heathrow's runways for debris that can
cause serious damage to aircraft engines and long delays for passengers, has
been unveiled.

The Tarsier system is already sweeping the London airport's southern runway
and the airport is now planning to set it up to keep watch on the northern
runway.

Two radars constantly patrol the tarmac and can spot even small objects that
might be sucked into an aircraft's engine.

They can pinpoint the location to within three metres anywhere on the runway
and can detect a range of materials, including metal, plastic, glass, wood,
glass fibre and organic matter.

The Tarsier was developed by the former Ministry of Defence research body,
QinetiQ, and Heathrow is the first European airport to use the technology.

When a foreign object is spotted on the runway, the tarmac is temporarily
closed to aircraft and a dedicated clean-up team can go straight to it to
collect it.

Previously staff had to check the runways manually between take-offs and
landings.

As well as improving safety for aeroplanes the new radar system cuts down
the amount of time it takes to locate the debris and so reduces delays.

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