Scanning our skies: The new Route Surveillance Radar at Mount Parker.

The surveillance capability of Hong Kong's air traffic control system will be enhanced and airspace capacity maximised to ensure flight safety, thanks to a new Route Surveillance Radar at Mount Parker, Quarry Bay, which has just gone into service.

Incorporating the latest technology and design, the new radar is superior in stability, reliability, signal processing, accuracy and target detection capability during inclement weather.

Director-General of Civil Aviation Albert Lam said the replacement project comprised demolition of the old radar in September, and installation and commissioning of the new radar in four months.

New system can operate for up to 25 years

During the radar replacement process, the station was also renovated installing a standby generator, fuel tank, and power-supply and fire-fighting systems to ensure the refurbished facilities can support the radar's operation for another 20 to 25 years.

With the new radar antenna encased within a radome, the system can work continuously in all weather conditions, even typhoons. The antenna is 9.7 metres high and 13.7 metres wide, and the radome has a diameter of 15 metres.

Before acceptance of the new radar, a flight inspection team of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China conducted the commissioning flight checks to certify the system works properly.

25 years service from the previous system

The new radar replaces the one installed in 1978 for the former airport at Kai Tak. For more than 25 years, the old system served as a primary surveillance radar with coverage of 200 nautical miles for en-route air traffic surveillance. It is necessary to replace the old radar because of its age and difficulty in acquiring spares.

Funding approval for the $60 million project was obtained from the Legislative Council in 2001. Alenia Marconi Systems of Italy was chosen as the supplier through open tender.