Airport radar monitoring of wake vortex in all weather conditions

To assess maturity and capability of X-band radars to monitor wake roll-ups in all weather conditions, Radar data were collected on airports, near runway at ORLY airport and just under its ILS Interception Area. Additional trials took place on Paris-CDG Airport to benchmark Lidar & Radar Technologies. Continuous Detection, characterization and profiling capabilities of wake vortices, up to a range of 2000 m, have been proved in clear air and rainy weather. Recorded data have been correlated with electromagnetic and fluid mechanical models of Wake Turbulences for better and more accurate understanding of roll-ups radar cross section (RCS) and Doppler signature. X-band Radar has been proved to be a full-fledged alternative, which can make a significant contribution to a wake vortex alert system, but to achieve as much reliability as possible, collaborative Electro-optical & electromagnetic sensors solution is envisaged encapsulated in a Wake Vortex Advisory System. These sensors could be used to permanently monitor wake turbulence on runways.