NEW ERA OF AVIATION SAFETY:Bhopal ATC toget nano-second precision with new radar

 

 

 

RAJA Bhoj Airport is set to elevate its aviation security to glob al benchmarks. Installation of the state-of-the-art Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR) system has entered its final phase. High-level equipment, specially imported from Norway, has arrived in Bhopal. Once operational, this system will place Bhopal among the safest airports in the country, ensuring a more reliable and modern travel experience for passengers. Project timeline and current status:The groundwork for this ambitious project began in 2024 following administrative and technical approvals. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has already completed the construction of the specialized MSSR building required for the installation. Currently, the assembly and coding of sensitive sensors and radar antennas from Norway are underway at a rapid pace.

 

The AAI has set a target to make the system fully operational for commercial use by December 2025, following rigorous safety trials, mock drills, and calibration testing. MSSR Tech:Why it outper forms legacy systems:Compared to traditional primary radar systems, the MSSR is revolutionary. It provides more than just distance; it flashes the aircraft’s altitude, instantaneous speed, and precise direction onto Air Traffic Control (ATC) screens with nano second accuracy. A standout feature is its vast surveillance range, covering an airspace of 250 to 400 kilometers. The ‘Monopulse’ technology specifically eliminates “Ghost Images”—a common issue in busy airspace where data from two aircraft can overlap and cre ate confusion.

 

Even amidst dense fog, storms, or heavy cloud cov er, the identity and position of every aircraft will remain crystal clear. This significantly enhances the decision-making capability of Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) by providing high-definition, multi-layered data on a single console, effectively neutralizing the risk of human error. Safety, navigation and economic efficiency:With the frequency of flights from Bhopal steadily increasing, this radar system will act as a lifeline for “Smart Navigation.” It will reduce the “holding time” (aircraft waiting in the air to land), leading to substantial fuel savings for air lines and a reduction in carbon emissions. Furthermore, the system will assist ATCs in providing precise guidance to pilots during low visibility, thereby reducing flight cancellation rates. The infrastructure and civil works for the MSSR system are fully ready.

 

The installation of the equipment arrived from Norway will begin shortly. Our primary objective is to align Bhopal’s air traffic with the highest safety standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). By December 2025, the system will be fully functional, ensuring top-tier passenger safety.” — Ramjee Awasthi, Director,Raja Bhoj Airport, Bhopal TECHNICAL FACT:HOW IT WORKS The MSSR system operates on an “Interrogation” method. The ground-based radar sends a digital signal (query) which is received by the aircraft’s transponder. In a fraction of a second, the transponder replies with its unique ‘Squawk Code’ and vital flight data, allowing the ATC to identify the aircraft beyond any doubt.