Debris detector

Doha International Airport in the State of Qatar is to install Tarsier, the runway debris detection system developed by Qinetiq.

The announcement was made at the Dubai Air Show following a contract signing by Akbar Al Baker, chief executive officer of Doha International Airport and Phil McLachlan, managing director of Qinetiq Airport Technologies.

Tarsier will detect foreign object debris (FOD) on the single runway at Doha International, which, at 4,572 metres, is one of the longest in the world. Three radars will scan the runway area 24 hours a day and in all weathers, locating objects that could be drawn into engines or damage aircraft systems.

The number of passengers using Doha International Airport has risen from two million to ten million over the last ten years. As a result the New Doha International Airport is expected to open in 2009 with a capacity of 50 million passengers a year once fully completed. Qinetiq and Qatar Airways are currently in negotiations about the potential installation of a Tarsier system to cover the two runways at the New Doha International Airport when they go operational.

Qinetiq's dialogue with Qatar Airways has been supported by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the UK government organisation that helps UK companies looking to develop international business and that provides support for overseas companies wishing to invest in the UK.