U.S. military adopts Falcon Electric rugged power protection for its air-traffic-control systems
A systems integrator sought for its U.S. military customers a power-protection solution capable of ensuring the constant availability and reliability of their air-traffic-control systems. The company turned to Falcon Electric of Irwindale, Calif., for a rugged uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
According to the lead project engineer, the military selected the Falcon SG 1kVA UPS after testing an array of similar solutions. A determining factor in the product selection was the firm’s need for a UPS supplier with vast experience working with the military, and the ability to accommodate its lead times for gear, which can extend several weeks or months. Additional requirements included a rugged online topology and a compact form factor.
The U.S. Army, Air Force, and National Guard use the AN/TPN19 and MPN14K Landing Control Central radar sets, which can serve as airport surveillance radar (ASR) sets or radar approach control (RAPCON) shelters. The ASR/RAPCON incorporates primary air search radar and secondary air-traffic-control radar sets, as well as ancillary communications equipment, to detect, identify, and control aircraft in support of air-traffic-control operations.
The radar sets are used by air traffic controllers to perform such functions as sequencing and separating aircraft, providing final approach direction, and guiding through air defense corridors and zones. The sets, having a range of roughly 200 nautical miles, are also capable of taking over air-traffic-control operations at busy airports.
A major systems integrator serving government organizations needed to upgrade the communications switch-node system inside two state-of-the-art theater air-traffic-control radar sets to increase the range, security, and stability of the ASR system.
“The communications switch-node system is powered by its own uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which was originally specified at 1.5kVA,” the lead project engineer says. “Because the primary power source inside the ASR can be from a diesel generator or from the local utility, we specified an online UPS. Our systems are designed to operate in extreme environments, so we knew we needed a rugged, double-conversion online uninterruptible power system.”
For more information, visit www.falconups.com.
