Ground surveillance radar for perimeter intrusion detection

Airport security is a key issue that is being addressed worldwide by civil aviation agencies to counter the threat of terrorism. Pursuing numerous initiatives appropriate combination of techniques that will yield a realistic and cost-effective solution to this problem. This paper addresses one such solution, using the Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE-3) radar for perimeter intrusion detection. The ASDE-3 system is now deployed at 34 major US airports as part of the FAA's Runway Incursion Reduction Program. The systems provide rapid, high-resolution imagery of aircraft and vehicular traffic to tower controllers. The ASDE-3 system also has the potential to provide a similar level of surveillance for human targets and this intelligence can be made available to security personnel without interfering with Air Traffic Control (ATC) operations. The conditions under which the ASDE-3 can detect human targets and the regions of a major airport where this detection is possible are fully investigated in this program. The paper presents the results of an analysis performed under FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center Research Grant 99-G-042.