Heathrow puts Tarsier system into operation

Two radars scan the 3,658m runway area 24 hours a day, locating objects that could be drawn into engines or damage aircraft systems. 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. Colin Wood, Heathrow’s airside operations director, noted: “Tarsier is a proven technological solution to the problem of foreign object and debris detection and will assist our operations team in carrying out regular visual runway inspections by acting as an additional pair of eyes.” Phil McLachlan, managing director of QinetiQ Airport Technologies, said: “We are delighted that Tarsier is playing an important role in maximising capacity and easing congestion at Heathrow. It is an added bonus for us that technology developed in the UK is now fully operational at the country's flagship airport.”