Summary
Current primary radars have difficulty detecting aircraft when ground clutter, rain, or birds interfere. To overcome such interference, the Moving Target Detector (MTD) uses adaptive digital signal and data processing techniques. MTD has provided the foundation for a new generation of primary radars called Airport Surveillance Radar-9 (ASR-9). In addition to achieving near-optimal target-detection performance, ASR-9 also provides timely weather information. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is installing ASR- 9 systems at more than 100 airports across the United States.