Runway surveillance operational in Detroit

EAST SYRACUSE, N.Y., Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Sensis Corp. announced it has completed the installation of its runway surveillance technology at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

New York-based Sensis was commissioned by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to implement its Model X Airport Surface Detection Equipment at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport and 34 other airports in the United States. Company officials say the completed installation of the ASDE-X in Detroit marks the 13th airport to operate the runway surveillance technology.

The ASDE-X system collects surveillance data on the ground from surface movement radars and automatic dependent surveillance technology, among others, and sends the information to air traffic controllers in real time.

Officials say the integrated surveillance technology will alert airport authorities of any compromised aircraft situation or vehicle incursions as part of an effort to add an additional measure of security.

"ASDE-X gives controllers at Detroit Metro the most advanced runway incursion detection and alerting today to increase safety on the ground," Tony Lo Brutto, Sensis Air Traffic Systems vice president and general manager, said in a statement.

"Additionally, one of the key technologies employed by ASDE-X, Sensis multilateration, will enable the airport to receive a modern precision runway monitoring system."