Visit DeTect at the Birdstrike USA-Canada conference in Orlando, Florida USA August 18-21, 2008. DeTect will host the 4th Annual Birdstrike BBQ. A tour of the MERLIN Avian Radar System installation at the NASA Kennedy Space Center will also be provided. For information on the conference visit the AAAE co-sponsor website at the following http://events.aaae.org/sites/080802/
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| AIRCRAFT BIRDSTRIKE AVOIDANCE RADARS |
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 monitoring of each runway and runway approach and departure corridors.
MERLIN systems are offered for sale, long-term lease or short-term rental, with or without DeTect operators and are backed by a three-year full parts and labor warranty. SInce 2003, MERLIN systems have logged over 500,000 hours of operating time with an established record of high system uptime, high reliability and low maintenance and repair costs. For more information on the MERLIN Aircraft Birdstrike Avoidance Radar, download our MERLIN brochure (1700 kb) (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) or contact us for a complete features and function catalog. |
Birdstrikes pose a significant safety hazard to aviation and, according to recent 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™ system 
DeTect’s MERLIN Aircraft Birdstrike Avoidance radar system is the most advanced and proven technology available for bird-aircraft strike hazard (BASH) management and for real-time detection and tracking of hazardous bird activity at military airfields, military training and bombing ranges, and commercial airports. MERLIN is proven technology with over 40 systems currently operating at sites worldwide with documented results in reducing birdstrikes, increasing safety and reducing aircraft damage and delay costs. MERLIN was developed by experts in military and commercial aviation safety, airfield bird control and radar remote sensing to provide a cost-effective system that integrates seamlessly and effectively into airfield or airport operations. To see an example of how the MERLIN system software works and view an example of the MERLIN system display, 
The MERLIN operating software was specifically developed to track the unique characteristics of birds and provides superior performance over systems using modified aircraft or marine radar software. 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 10,000 ft AGL and around the airfield out to 8 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. With MERLIN's military grade clutter suppression the system provides continuous bird detection from the ground level and up to flight altitudes (85% of damaging and 
hazardous birdstrikes occur below 200 feet during aircraft take-offs and landings).
Bird track data is displayed in real time on local and remote monitors in standard aviation PAR and PPI display formats 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. 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). Tower controllers, airfield managers and bird control staff are automatically alerted to changes in the risk condition by user-selectable visual, audible and text message warning options. MERLIN ATC is the only 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. 
All target data attributes are also continuously written to MERLIN’s database for archiving and analysis with the Data Analyzer software that includes standard “point-and-click” queries using MERLIN SQL Server. With the MERLIN Reporter option, the system automatically generates a set of standard 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. 
DeTect offers four standard mobile MERLIN models for aviation birdstrike avoidance- Industrial, Commercial, Environmental and Military - with high and medium radar power options for larger and medium sized airfields and airports. Systems are also 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. 
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. 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 and self-contained platform. 
Units 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 custom display layouts; integrated control of bird deterrence systems (detect & deter™); and, DeTect’s wired flightline system for seamless, real-time data transmission to fixed and mobile sites such as air traffic control towers, range control towers, bird control offices and vehicles, operations offices, and, direct uplink to aircraft cockpits. 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. 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. REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS...
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 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 will be installed to support airport operations in late 2008. Click Here to view a news video on the Barn Swallow issue at the airport and the radar 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 XS2530c system, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Texas, USA - System provided real-time bird detection and tracking providing data to bird control unit vehicles on the airfield and to airport operations. The FAA has selected DeTect to install an expanded multi-sensor MERLIN network in 2008 to provide increased coverage of the airport.
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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