King Shaka airport deploys advanced radar to track bird movements

By Levy Masiteng

King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) has upgraded its bird-monitoring capabilities with the Robin Radar Systems MAX bird detection radar, a full 3D avian radar system capable of tracking bird movements in real time.

The MAX system replaces and upgrades bird-radar capability that has existed at King Shaka since the airport opened in 2010. The original system had deteriorated after years without adequate maintenance, with replacement considered more feasible than repairing the equipment.

The new technology can simultaneously track more than 3 000 birds within a 15km instrumented range, providing detailed information on their flight paths, altitude, speed and flock behaviour.

The upgrade formed part of a collaboration between ACSA, HENSOLDT South Africa, Robin Radar Systems and UKZN, with the technology expected to strengthen aviation safety while also providing researchers with an opportunity to study bird movements around the airport.

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