Cooperation between Belgocontrol, SOWAER and Defence: new radar in Florennes
Installed on a 30 meters high tower, the new radar is operational since this morning. It provides core information to air traffic controllers at Charleroi airport and Florennes military base, as well as for overflying the Belgian territory. Belgocontrol has invested five million euros in the new technical equipment.
The new radar will display on the air traffic controllers’ screens the precise position of aircraft on approach to Charleroi airport and Florennes military base. In addition, it allows a better monitoring of air traffic above the Ardennes within a radius of 220 km.
The new Florennes radar will ultimately replace the current approach radar of Charleroi. It will serve both Belgocontrol and Defence. This achievement is part of the enhanced partnership between the two organisations.
The development of the Florennes site and the construction of the new surveillance radar were carried out in close collaboration with SOWAER (Société Wallonne des aéroports). SOWAER, which was entrusted with constructing the technical building and securing it, is the site owner, whereas the radar and the whole technology installed in Florennes are owned by Belgocontrol.
The image of air traffic in Belgium is built up from the observations of nine radar sensors, which are spread over six Belgocontrol sites (Brussels Airport, Bertem, Florennes, Liège, Ostend and Saint-Hubert), supplemented by a radar of Defence and different radar systems abroad.
In the last few years, Belgocontrol has invested a total of 16 million euros in the modernization of its radar installations, of which 5 million in Florennes.