The Strait of Gibraltar is one of the most important strategic points in the world where converged United Kingdom, Morocco, Spain and, some distance away in Rota (Cádiz), United States. This cast of actors is concentrated in a few square kilometers where naval bases and economic interests of all kinds also congregate.

Because of this, new military movements often emerge—almost never without controversy—the aim of which is to gradually increase the weight of some countries over others. And that’s the result the state-of-the-art radar that the UK had just placed on the highest peak of the rock Gibraltar.

It is a system acquired by the Royal Air Force (RAF) as part of increasing radar coverage in the Straits area. It will serve both to monitor the commercial air traffic currently operating at your airport and movement of military aircraft on both coasts.

giant radar

This new radar system is part of a military installation renovation program that the UK does at some of its aerodromes, including overseas. The delivery was made a few days ago by Aquila Air Traffic Management Services, the company responsible for developing the sensor.

“The new radar will replace the one on the iconic rock in the British Overseas Territory,” they have published from Aquila. “This will help provide reliable and safe air traffic services for the airport, which serves tens of thousands of visitors every year, and military air traffic“Without limiting more.

As is often the case with strategic facilities of this type, specific specifications on the range of the radar selected by the RAF is unknown. Moreover, because it is an installation that will serve as an eye for the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy; which from time to time shows nuclear submarines at the docks of Gibraltar.

The RAF has selected the STAR-NG radar designed and manufactured by the Thales company, which is part of the cooperate Aquila, as they confirmed from Chronicle of Gibraltar. According to the company itself in the radar technical sheet, it has: operating range from 300 meters to 185 kilometers. Depending on the module configuration, this range is likely to be significantly extended.

Thales also points out that its STAR-NG has anti-jamming technology and the ability to detect slow aircraft, such as helicopters, and other very fast ones, refers to fighter jets. Likewise, the radar has a drone detection system as well as operation in complex environments such as wind farms or in areas with 4G communications.

New radar expected start operating on september 2022 and, until then, air traffic controllers in Gibraltar will continue to use the old Watchman. This system, developed by BAE Systems UK, has a maximum range of 150 kilometers in the latest version launched by the company.

placed by helicopter

The orographical uniqueness of the Rock of Gibraltar means that the logistics associated with the deployment of the new radar system have been requires helicopter participation. In particular, from the Chinook of the RAF itself which has served as an elevator for all modules and auxiliary equipment to the top.

“The helicopter is the only tool that can transport structures 11.8 meters high and over 8,000 kilograms heavy to inaccessible peaks”, emphasizes from Aquila. The load is divided into 4 parts consisting of a radar loop system, two large antennas and a transmission and reception system.

To perform this operation, before temporary platform installation so the Chinook can release every burden and protect the land, which is part of the Gibraltar Reserve.

This logistics work has been carried out by the 27th Squadron, which recently provided tactical airlift services to frontline troops in Afghanistan. Chosen Chinook can simultaneously transport up to 55 soldiers and load up to 10 tons.

“I’m really pleased with the way this difficult task was accomplished. As usual, Rock [haciendo referencia al Peñón] it poses its own unique set of challenges, which make similar replacements more complicated than usual,” said Nel Doherty, Commander of RAF Gibraltar Station.

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