Doha Intl Gets Runway Debris Detector

Doha International Airport in Qatar is to install Tarsier, the runway debris detection system developed by QinetiQ. Tarsier will detect foreign object debris (FOD) on the single runway at Doha International, which at 4,572 meters is one of the longest in the world. Three radars will scan the runway area 24 hours a day and in all weathers, locating objects that could be drawn into engines or damage aircraft systems. Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways said: “We see Tarsier as an integral part of our safety management system because it inspects the runway continuously with no disruption to aircraft movements. This will bring us both cost and operational benefits, but more importantly, is a commitment to have an airport operation which is fully safety driven." Phil McLachlan, a managing director of QinetiQ, said "Qatar is experiencing strong growth in airport traffic and its ambitious plans for a new, state of the art airport are well on the way to being realized. This agreement marks an important step in the development of the QinetiQ Airport Technologies business.” Additional Tarsier installations are anticipated for the new airport in Qatar.