DEVELOPMENT OF A DOPPLER RADAR TECHNIQUE FOR THE DETECTION OF BIRD HAZARDS TO AIRCRAFT

The purpose of this research project was to develop a radar technique to detect the presence of flying birds potentially hazardous to aircraft near airport runways; to distinguish them from other radar targets; to estimate the size and number of birds in order to assess the hazard. The motions of a bird in flight are characterized by a distinctive velocity spectrum that can be detected by radar. These 'aural signatures' were identified by Doppler technique and verified by visual sightings. This report provides a description of the analysis techniques, compares range-gated to nonrange-gated systems and also conventional and Doppler radars. A discussion concerning modification of a typical system to a Doppler system is included. A method of determining the actual number of birds in the target volume is discussed. The report also includes a scene-by-scene description of a film presentation made to more fully quantify the Doppler technique. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

  Aeronomy Lab
  Washington, DC  United States  20023
• Authors:
  • Green, J L
  • Balsey, B B
• Publication Date: 1975-12-12

Media Info

• Pagination: 92 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aircraft; Airports; Aviation safety; Bird strikes; Birds; Detection and identification; Detectors; Doppler radar; Hazards; Radar tracking
• Uncontrolled Terms: Aircraft safety
• Old TRIS Terms: Radar ornithology
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Safety and Human Factors; Terminals and Facilities; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00146048
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: AFCEC-TR-76-17 Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 16 1977 12:00AM