AIRCRAFT BIRDSTRIKE AVOIDANCE RADARS |
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The MERLIN technology includes a wide range of unique features and benefits not available with any other bird radar system:
The MERLIN bird radar operating software was specifically developed to detect and track bird targets. Other bird radars used modified ship or aircraft tracking software which are not designed to identify and track the unique flight signature and RCS variability characteristics of birds in flight. The MERLIN system also processes and displays the only hazardous bird targets and tracks and current strike risk in real-time with the fastest scan update rate available on the market.
MERLIN systems are available in mobile and fixed installation configurations. For large, multi-runway airports and airfields, multiple fixed-mount sensor packages are installed around the airfield and networked to provide optimal coverage of the airfield and the area around the airport (out to 8 miles) with dedicated scanning of each runway and runway approach and departure corridors to provide continuous risk alerting and to deliver real-time information as to where risk conditions exist.
Commercial airport installations can be delivered as fixed radar packages with frangible radar towers and electronics installed in compact, outdoor-rated, environmentally controlled NEMA enclosures. Power and network infrastructure is minimal and all components are fully remote controllable at system remote display user sites. MERLIN is scalable and expandable which allows users to install a base system initially, adding additional sensor coverages as budgets allow. All components are industrial grade with high reliability and low maintenance costs.
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Bird track data is displayed in real time on local and remote monitors in standard aviation PAR and PPI display formats on high resolution monitors with user selectable display options that include color-coded symbols, unique identifiers for birds and aircraft, target trails and target tags with a range of attribute display options. |
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DeTect's MERLIN ATC (Air Traffic Control) additionally software continuously monitors bird activity in the runway approach and departure corridors automatically determining the current birdstrike risk for each corridor with the risk displayed onto the screen in color-coded text (as LOW, MODERATE, or SEVERE risk levels). For 2012, MERLIN ATC has been upgraded to include DeTect's unique risk zone functionality in a single display. Tower controllers, airfield managers and bird control staff are automatically alerted to real-time and expected changes in the risk condition by user-selectable visual, audible and text message warning options. MERLIN ATC is the only proven automated bird strike risk monitoring and alerting system available on the market and represents the state-of-the-art in real time birdstrike risk management for commercial airports and military airfields.
MERLIN systems are offered for sale, long-term lease or short-term rental, with or without DeTect operators and are backed by a full three-year full parts and labor warranty that covers the complete system. Since 2003, MERLIN bird radar systems have logged over 1 million hours of operating time with an established record of high system uptime, high reliability and low maintenance and repair costs. |
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Birdstrikes pose a significant safety hazard to aviation and, according to government studies, cost military and commercial aviation over $2 billion each year due to aircraft loss and
damage, out-of-service delays and lost lives. 
DeTect's MERLIN™ Bird Radar System 
DeTect’s MERLIN Aircraft Birdstrike Avoidance Radar system is the first production model and most advanced, proven and widely used bird radar technology available for bird-aircraft strike hazard (BASH) management and for real-time detection, tracking and alerting of hazardous bird activity at commercial airports, military airfields, and military training and bombing ranges. The MERLIN bird radar is proven, production model technology with over 100 bird radar systems currently operating at sites worldwide in aviation safety and environmental applications. MERLIN has a well documented record in reducing bird strikes, increasing safety and reducing aircraft damage and delay cost at both military and commercial airfields. MERLIN is the most widely used bird radar system in the world and is the only production-model bird radar in operational use for real-time, tactical bird-aircraft strike avoidance at commercial airports and military airfields. MERLIN is also only bird radar system to have been evaluated and certified for real-time, tactical flight safety use by the US government (includes NASA and the USAF certification) and is the only bird radar approved for and in use at a commercial airport control tower under national standards. 
With MERLIN, users get more than just a radar - each MERLIN system is supported by DeTect's experts in military and commercial aviation safety, air traffic control, airfield management, airfield bird control and radar remote sensing to provide a cost-effective system that integrates seamlessly and effectively into airfield or airport operations.
The standard MERLIN system uses a dual vertical and horizontal scanning radar configuration to provide simultaneous 3D coverage with dedicated scanning of runways and approach and departure corridors from the ground level up to 15,000 ft AGL and 360 degrees around the airfield out to 12+ miles. A key feature of MERLIN is its wide-beam coverage that detects and provides real-time alerts of hazardous bird activity from aircraft flight operational altitudes to the ground level for tactical bird-aircraft strike risk avoidance. With MERLIN's military grade clutter suppression the system provides continuous bird detection from the ground level and up to and above flight altitudes (85% of damaging and 
hazardous birdstrikes at commercial airports occur below 500 feet during aircraft take-offs and landings).
All target data attributes are also continuously written to the MERLIN SQL database system for archiving and analysis with the Data Analyzer software that includes standard “point-and-click” queries. The integrated MERLIN Reporter feature automatically generates a set of custom or standard BASH management reports and emails them to users at the end of each 24 hour period. Data are also exportable to a GIS for integration into customer resource and planning databases. MERLIN additionally includes an optional incident recorder module that retains 48-72 hours of full radar data to support event and mishap investigations. 
MERLIN uses state-of-the-art solid-state X- or S-band radar sensors with Doppler processing that provide all weather detection and tracking of birds even in fog, rain and snow. The solid-state radars in MERLIN offer greater sensitivity than magnetron-based bird radar systems which are susceptible to false positives from insect contamination and are "blind" in wet fog or even light rain. Low visibility conditions such as wet fog and rain represent the highest risk period to aircraft as bird control units, controllers and pilots cannot see the birds and the birds cannot "see and avoid" aircraft. MERLIN systems are available in mobile and custom, multi-sensor fixed configurations for coverage of larger airports and for military airfields with multiple runways to provide full 3D airspace coverage with precise altitude data on bird targets. 
MERLIN is a fully integrated and engineered system and includes temperature and humidity controlled field technician equipment consoles/enclosures, radar data processors and software, radar towers, and military/AOA airfield lighting and marking. Mobile MERLIN systems are fully mission deployable via ground, ship or air transport for forward-base use and are air transport certified. With the optional secondary surveillance radar (SSR) and multi-function HARRIER surveillance and weather options, the MERLIN system can support military theater operating delivering simultaneous, real-time birdstrike risk management, weather/lightning detection and/or airspace and perimeter surveillance and intrusion alerting, all from a single, compact fully mobile, hardened and self-contained platform. 
MERLIN systems are engineered and constructed to high quality industrial and military specifications and are designed for long-term, exterior use in adverse climate conditions. Custom, installation-specific configurations are also available with a wide variety of optional and custom features to enhance system operations and utility that includes full remote real-time data display to multiple users, custom display layouts, full system remote control, data delivery through consolidated systems such as IDS4 and IDS5, and delivery of real-time bird activity and bird strike risk alerts to air traffic control towers, range control towers, bird control offices and vehicles, operations offices, and aircraft cockpits via wireless, LAN, uplink, pager, text messaging and email systems. DeTect also provides a MERLIN Software Development Kit (SDK) that allows user interface development. MERLIN includes highly reliable, proven technologies and can also operate as a multi-function radar through add-on modules that allow the same system to be used as a birdstrike avoidance, aircraft tracking, and/or security platform concurrently. 
With MERLIN, users are getting more than a radar system DeTect provides comprehensive application support with each MERLIN system that includes full concept-of-operations (CONOPS) development, system integration and site-specific operation training and long-term support. Each system is supported by DeTect's team of application specialists who have extensive backgrounds and experience in radar systems, BASH management and airfield operations. Staff resources supporting each MERLIN deployment include a former Chief of the US Air Force BASH Team, a former Head of US Air Force Europe Bird Control and a support team of experts in radar ornithology and BASH with experience gained on projects at over 200 airports and airfields worldwide. DeTect's expert staff have been responsible for virtually every major development in bird radar technology for the past 20 years that includes the following bird radar industry "Firsts":
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS...
MERLIN SS200i Aircraft Birdstrike Avoidance Radar System, Riga International Airport, Latvia - State-of-the-art solid state real-time system installed at the Riga airport in Latvia in December 2010 providing real-time detection and alerting of hazardous bird activity. The installation includes remote display and warning of birdstrikes in the air traffic control tower with DeTect's MERLIN ATC risk management module.
MERLIN XS2530m Aircraft Birdstrike Avoidance Radar system, US Air Force Beale AFB, California, USA - MERLIN system supporting the USAF 9th Reconnaissance Wing flight safety. The 9th RW is responsible for providing national and theater command authorities with timely, reliable, high-quality, high-altitude reconnaissance products with the US fleet of U-2 and RQ-4 Global Hawk reconnaissance aircraft. The MERLIN system provides real-time detection and tracking of hazardous bird activity on the airfield and 8 miles around the airfield through remote control and display stations located in the control tower, airfield operations office and bird control unit vehicle. The system also includes a secondary HARRIER processor capable of providing airspace surveillance for Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations support with a 24 nm range.
MERLIN Aircraft Birdstrike/HARRIER Airspace Surveillance Radar System, Central Wisconsin Airport, Wisconsin USA - System provides real-time airspace aircraft detection and surveillance and bird detection supporting regional airport operations. The installation is a fixed-mount install with the system components pad-mounted on the airfield. All system processors are installed in NEMA outdoor rated enclosures with full real-time data display and control in the air traffic control tower delivered via to airport network.
NASA Avian Radar System, NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA - DeTect provided two expanded capability MERLIN systems to the U.S. Space Agency, NASA, that are used to provide detection and tracking of hazardous vulture activity during Space Shuttle launches. The MERLIN system technology was selected by NASA after extensive evaluation and on-site testing of available technologies. The units have provided detection and tracking for all shuttle launches since NASA's return to flight on July 4, 2006. DeTect additionally provides an on-site operational support team to NASA for each launch of the space shuttle. More at the NASA website.
MERLIN SS200-m Aircraft Birdstrike Avoidance Radar System, US Air Force Bagram Airfield Afghanistan - The first m-series (military) MERLIN bird radar system will be deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan to support coalition forces flight safety. The 2009, all solid state S-band, all weather bird detection model system (MERLIN serial no. 055) includes special hardening and construction to maintain highly reliable performance in adverse environments and includes a heavy duty frame with high clearance off-road axles, Kevlar reinforcing armoring, sand filters, dual diesel generator power system with auto switching, redundant electronics and MILSPEC level design and components. This MERLIN system is the first deployment of a bird radar system to an active war zone and use includes real-time display in the air traffic control tower with automated alerting of birdstrike risk.
MERLIN XS2530i Aircraft Birdstrike Avoidance Radar System, US Air Force Offutt AFB, Nebraska USA - USAF Offutt AFB installed a MERLIN bird radar in early 2009 to provide real-time birdstrike risk information to support the 55th Wing which provides worldwide reconnaissance, real-time intelligence, command and control, information warfare and combat support to U.S. leaders and commanders. The wing's main unit, the 55th Operations Group, operates 46 aircraft, including 13 models of seven different types and includes which includes support for Air Force One, the US Presidential aircraft (pictured above). The Offutt MERLIN installation includes real-time display of bird activity and strike risk alerts to the air traffic control tower via fiber optic link. The USAF reports a significant reduction in birdstrikes after the system was installed while increasing airspace utilization (see recent Air Force Today article)
MERLIN Aircraft Birdstrike Radar System, Durban, South Africa - DeTect provided a MERLIN system for study and assessment of bird-aircraft strike risk issues associated with a roost of over 3 million Barn Swallows near the new Durban International Airport being constructed for the 2010 World Cup. The initial work included 24-7 radar survey of the bird activity to develop a risk assessment and operational plan for the airport. A permanent system was installed in 2008 to support airport operations and is the first use of real-time bird radar information in a commercial control tower in the world. Click Here to view a news video on the Barn Swallow issue at the airport and the radar project. Click Here to read the recent National Geographic article on the project.
MERLIN XS2530m Dover AFB, Delaware, USA - MERLIN system supporting USAF 436th Airlift Wing Flight Safety for C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft. Dover AFB is also the Department of Defense's largest and most technologically-advanced aerial port and operates 24-7. The MERLIN system has operated 24-7 since 2006 providing real-time detection and tracking of hazardous bird activity through remote control and display stations located in the control tower, airfield operations office and bird control unit vehicle. More info at Military.com
MERLIN Bird Radar System, Louisville International Airport, Kentucky, USA - In 2004, a MERLIN bird radar system was installed on a landfill at the end of the Louisville, Kentucky airport to provide real-time monitoring and warning of hazardous bird activity.. The Louisville airport is the the North American base for United Parcel Service and is the fourth largest freight airport in the US. The system was required by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in order to expand the runway and is operated by bird control staff who use it to support bird control activities , alert the airport of elevated birdstrike risk and to document that bird levels on the landfill are maintained at or below area background levels. The bird control and radar program is overseen by the FAA and was initiated as a result of concurrent expansion of the airport runways and landfill in 2003.
MERLIN XS2530c Aircraft Birdstrike Avoidance Radar System, USAF Dare County Bombing Range, North Carolina, USA - The US Navy and Air Force share use of the Dare County Range, located along the eastern coast of North Carolina for air-to-surface target training. A first generation MERLIN XS2530c system was installed on the range in late 2003 and has operated 24-7 with 99% uptime and a documented MTBR of 16,000 hours. Prior to use of the MERLIN system the range experience 1-2 Class A and 3-4 Class B birdstrikes annually. Since the MERLIN technology went into operation in November 2003, the range has had no Class A or B bird related mishaps in the areas covered by the MERLIN system.
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Product Information & Relevant Papers (Click to Download):
Technical Data Sheet - Commercial Airport MERLIN Systems
Technical Data Sheet - Military Airfield & Range MERLIN Systems
Advantages of Solid State Bird Radars over Magnetron-based systems
Blogpost - How Bird Radars Can Make Our Skies Safer Today by Gary Andrews, DeTect, Inc.
Article - Beware of the Birds, IEEE Potentials by T. Adam Kelly
Article - Turkish Officers Visit Offutt Seeking BASH Solution by Air Force Today
Paper - Managing Birdstrike Risk with Information Technologies by T. Adam Kelly
USAF Flying Safety Magazine - The Avian Hazard Advisory System by T. Adam Kelly, DeTect, Inc.
USAF Flying Safety Magazine - AHAS Update by T. Adam Kelly, DeTect, Inc.
USAF Flying Safety Magazine - Managing Birdstrike Risk with AHAS by T. Adam Kelly, DeTect, Inc.
Paper - Personal and Corporate Liability in the Aftermath of Birdstrikes: A Costly Consideration, Human Wildlife Conflicts Fall 2009
Paper - The Costs of Birdstrikes by John Allan, Central Science Lab