Vancouver International Airport (YVR) will later this year deploy new cameras developed by QinetiQ to enhance its Tarsier runway debris detection system. The system, which uses millimeter wave radar as its primary sensor, has been operational at YVR for more than a year, providing the airport with 24-hour automated runway debris detection.
FOD, or Foreign Object Debris, can be as small and seemingly innocuous as a broken wheel from a suitcase, a bolt or a discarded plastic bag, but can damage aircraft and, in extreme circumstances lead to aircraft failure. Four radars scan the airport's north and south parallel runways, locating objects that could be drawn into engines or damage aircraft systems. A display unit in Vancouver Airport's Operations Center provides the Airport Authority's operations team with an around-the-clock runway picture. YVR's decision to purchase the camera enhancement to Tarsier will improve airport efficiency by allowing the remote visual verification of detected debris to ensure that airport assets are better deployed. The cameras will be cued automatically, allowing the operations team to get "eyes on" with debris as soon as the system alarms. The high specification, fully automatic cameras will operate at night as well as during the day and will allow imaging anywhere on the runway. The cameras are due to be installed at Vancouver later this year.