Global technology leader, Thales, is advancing air traffic surveillance and safety in Chile with a new radar station, which will be 100% powered by sustainable solar energy.
A world first, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) radar station will be based in Calama in the Atacama Desert and will be the first of its kind radar system leveraging 330 solar panels to take full advantage of the high levels of sunshine in the region. The system also delivers windfarm mitigation filters.
The solar-powered radar station has been developed by Thales for Chile’s civil aviation authority, Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil (DGAC). It is comprised of an advanced and efficient Star NG primary radar, as well as an RSM secondary radar. Together the radars provide all the operational surveillance requirements of both civil and military ATC and detect both slow and fast-moving targets such as helicopters, commercial planes and jets.
Lionel de Castellane, Head of Civil Radars Thales Worldwide said: “Today’s climate and energy constraints mean new ways of doing things and we are proud to contribute to the world’s first ATC radar contributing to a greener and more sustainable air travel future for the DGAC in Chile, as well as improving the safety of Chilean skies.”
Based on an efficient and comprehensive power management system, Thales’ solar-powered ATC solution could be employed on different sites. Advanced battery technology, as well as back-up generators are deployed to secure the overall radar station operations and safeguard it against power outages or limited availability of regular sources.
