Dubai International airport has become the second customer for UK technology company Qinetiq's £2 million ($3.64 million) all-weather, 24h runway debris detection radar,Tarsier. Expected to be operational by the end of the year, the system will consist of four radar units and a dedicated desktop computer for central control.
The agreement follows a trial at the airport in November of the radar, which can detect individual debris pieces and provide GPS co-ordinates for each with an accuracy better than 3m (9.8ft).
Tarsier can detect objects as small as 10mm and as varied as metal bolts, carbon grill sections, plastic and glass bottles and tyre debris.
Vancouver airport was the first Tarsier customer in July 2005.
Source: Flight International
