Russian airports to switch to digital surveillance technology

There are eight Russian airports equipped with an integrated multi-position surveillance system for civil aviation flights “Almanac” MLAT+WAM. An infrastructure project of this level has become unprecedented in terms of implementation. This allows a number of aerodromes, including Khrabrovo (Kaliningrad) and Mineralnye Vody, to assign ICAO CAT II precision approach category. This means that air harbors will be able to receive aircraft in the most adverse weather conditions with cloud cover up to 30 meters and a visibility range of 350 meters.

In 2019 the MLAT+WAM “Almanac” (developer and manufacturer - CRTS) was deployed and launched in Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Samara, Tyumen and Kaliningrad by the order of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise “State ATM Corporation”.

“Almanac” makes it possible to conduct integrated surveillance in the terminal area and in a radius of up to 200 kilometers in all modes which are used in civil aviation today. The system complies fully with all international ICAO, EUROCAE, RTCA requirements, including the reliability and durability of the equipment.

– MLAT+WAM is a network of geographically distributed compact receiving and transmitting stations. Due to the optimal placement geometry, the Almanac aerodrome configuration forms an observation zone not only at a distance of 9.6 km from the runway threshold, but also up to 200-220 km in the radius of the aerodrome, - said Yuri Kapoyko, chief designer of the “Almanac” system.

As part of the projects, the CRTS had also delivered more than 200 mobile radio beacons installed on ground special vehicles moving in the area of airfields.

– The set of deliveries includes “Gnom” mobile radio beacons for monitoring and controlling the ground movement of special vehicles. This compact and easy-to-use device is magnetically attached to the roof of a vehicle - whether it be an escort vehicle or snow grooming equipment. “Gnom” allows the object to become “visible” for controllers in the Almanac’s surveillance field, - he added.

Since 2018, the MLAT+WAM “Almanac” system has been successfully operated in St. Petersburg (Pulkovo) and Mineralnye Vody. The system has repeatedly proved its effectiveness to ensure safe takeoff and landing operations and rationalization of ground movement on the airfield surface.

In 2020, the “triumphal march” of the MLAT+WAM “Almanac” system at domestic airports will continue. The system will be implemented in Krasnodar, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Saratov, as well as in Chelyabinsk, where SCO and BRICS summits will be held along with St. Petersburg.