The demise of Gibraltar old RADARs

In April, the Aquila team in Gibraltar overcame the challenging task of decommissioning the historic Watchman and Cardion RADAR’s, as part of the UK MOD’s upgrade of Air Traffic Management equipment under the MARSHALL programme.

 

This event had been many months in the making and required a great deal of engagement with the local authorities due to the narrow streets. This surmounted in a road closure to enable a crane to manoeuvre up the infamous Rock Gun (which during daylight hours is not for the faint hearted!).

 

Having been a prominent landscape silhouette for almost forty years and towering 419 metres above Gibraltar high street, what was once a fully operational radar, began its deconstruction. The protective radome, resembling a large dinosaur egg, transmitter, and signal processor inside were slowly but steadily lowered to the ground and all salvageable parts were catalogued and taken by Mitie for re-purposing.

 

The old Radars removal now leave in their place the next generation of radars: The STAR NG Primary RADAR and its Co-mounted Secondary RADAR the RSM 970, which have been brought into service to give Air Traffic Control a more resilient service with both being equipped with dual systems and remote monitoring facilities.

 

Well done and thank you to the Aquila team comprising Jim Bailey, Rob Nottage, Mik Perry, Rookie, Ruth Rooke as well as Kyle and his team in Mitie Supply – a successful job done.