Heathrow has become the first European airport to install a radar system that continuously scans the runway for foreign objects and debris.
Supplied by QinetiQ, the Tarsier system is already being used on the southern runway at Heathrow following a successful operational trial.
Two radars scan the 3,658m runway area 24-hours a day, locating objects that could be drawn into engines or damage aircraft systems.
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 contract also includes a further enhancement of the Tarsier system through the use of high specification day/night cameras that will allow the remote visual confirmation of detected debris.
The permanent installation of Tarsier at Heathrow is part of BAA's drive to maximise use of existing runways and drive down delays.
By staff writer
