German ATC Comes on Line

The German Air Force has brought on line its newest airspace control and reporting system.

The Schoenwald-based facility, near Berlin, is part of Germany's overall Improved Air Defense System. It was developed and built by Dornier, one of the European Aeronautic Defense and Space units, with cooperation from Raytheon. The program value is about $24 million.

The central part of the airspace control and reporting system is a multi-sensor tracking and data processing system. It was designed to process raw data from up to 12 radars and present the information on video displays.

The system is being designed to be able to work together with air defense networks of other countries. There are more than 60 airspace control and reporting systems throughout European NATO countries.

By Robert Wall