On Wednesday, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner initiated the start of construction of a new airfield radar facility at Brumowski Air Base. The construction of the new facility is a further step towards modernizing the armed forces.
The airbase has been operating an airfield radar system since the 1950s. The first one was still operated using tube technology and was replaced by the current system in 1992. After 30 years of operation, this can no longer be supplied logistically and is therefore being replaced. “Modern technologies not only make our everyday lives easier, but also improve the way our soldiers work. This modernization represents an investment in the troops and also in the safety of the Austrian population,” says Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner.
The new radar system consists of a primary radar and a secondary radar. The primary radar provides information on the direction and distance of the targets. The secondary radar can be used to obtain additional information, including barometric altitude and the ability to clearly identify flying objects such as helicopters, aircraft and drones. The system is designed for observation up to a range of around 110 kilometers and for 24-hour operation. In the event of a power failure, the energy supply for the new system can be ensured by an uninterruptible power supply system and an emergency power generator. Construction of the turbine building and the tower foundation will be completed by the beginning of November. The single-storey facility building, with a total usable area of 92 square meters, will be a solid construction with a green flat roof. The antenna tower is scheduled to be erected by the end of December 2021. The tower is around 20 meters high and is located directly next to the plant building. The old radar system will be demolished between early August and mid-September 2022.
