Month: December 2021

What is a military defence system?

 

A military defence system is a broad term which can describe the weaponry available for the defence of a region including implements of war such as munitions, weaponry and technology. When it comes to the aviation industry, it’s important to be aware of any potential threats which could ensue and what type of military defence systems could affect your operations. High-profile cases like the shooting down of the Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 over Iran, where all 176 passengers and crew died, have led to greater calls for scrutiny over where passenger airlines are willing to fly and whether they should. But just how can passenger aircraft be protected from these threats?

 

Military defence systems and aviation

 

There are a variety of different types of military defences which can make up a country’s military defence system, from advanced surveillance systems to anti-aircraft defence systems located way out at sea. It’s also important to consider any other threats such as shoulder-fired missiles and MANPADS that may affect planes in the air. Anti-aircraft defences are military systems involving land, sea or air-based weaponry which is designed to protect against an attack from the air. There are also missile defence systems which are used to track, intercept and destruct attacking missiles and designed to shield a country from incoming missiles.

 

Protecting passengers in flight

 

It is important that professionals in the aviation and aerospace industry utilise a range of early warning systems to provide surveillance for planes while they are in the air. An early warning system attached to an aircraft scans hundreds of kilometres of airspace using a radar system to detect any threats. These threats, like unknown aircraft or ballistic missiles, can then be communicated quickly to air traffic controllers on the ground and a response can be launched. Other in air defence systems utilise thermal cameras which are linked to a laser that can deflect missiles by firing at the incoming missile’s navigation system so it misses it’s target. Some have been advocating for a greater introduction of mounting active defences on civil aircraft, however they can be incredibly costly and heavy and haven’t been widely adopted.

 

Maintaining safe skies

 

Keeping air travel safe and secure is crucial for the aviation industry, and being able to protect passengers safe while they are onboard needs to be a top priority. Regularly assessing flight paths, sharing information with governments and military and introducing advanced surveillance equipment can all be important steps to making sure everyone can travel with confidence. Airline managers should also consult with foreign affairs and security experts to determine the risks involved with flying over any potential military conflict zone. It is also wise to have minimum altitudes when flying over certain regions to make sure that planes are out of reach from man-portable missile systems.

 

Get in touch

 

If your aviation business needs a fresh approach to security and safety, Bayanat Engineering can design, create and install an innovative solution to keep your operations safe for everyone. Talk to our experienced team of aviation experts today.

Security solutions inside airports

With the ever-rising security challenges that today’s airports are having to deal with and managers are taking care of, it makes it even more important that the criteria for safety, security, and automation at airports are met. Read on to learn about some of the top security solutions inside airports today.

 

Drone detection systems

 

While air traffic control towers won’t be able to see your drone, drone detection and radar systems can be used to detect and find drones.

 

Drones are a major security and safety breach at airports and can be the cause of disruptive and dangerous incidents as well as security breaches. As there are more people who have remote-controlled drones for their private use, the number of drone incidents is slowly increasing. For this reason, operators need to make sure that they properly assess a threat visually and establish whether a drone is carrying explosives or cameras.

 

By installing cameras along the perimeter of the airport fence alongside the radar technology, you can detect drones a lot clearer. How? Once the radar is triggered, the system will relay 3D coordinates to the closest security camera to confirm whether the object is a drone or something else. Not only is this a safe solution, but highly cost-efficient too.

 

Airport perimeter security

 

People who breach the perimeter fence and access the runway are a huge threat at airports. That’s why it’s important to detect these incidents as early as possible. However, this can be a challenging task. Operators who are monitoring live video footage could miss important scenes. That’s where built-in video analytics and metadata come in. By adding structure to video images, you can identify suspects even in dark areas. The built-in infrared illuminators will detect objects that are approximately 550 meters away and thermal pictures will allow you to detect any suspects who may be hiding in trees.

 

Whenever an intruder comes near the perimeter, the cameras will follow them over long distances while showing their speed, size, and location to allow a quick intervention. Added bonus – false alarms signals from operators are significantly reduced.

 

Surface Movement Guidance & Control Systems (ASMGCS)

 

Long queues and crowded areas at the airport are not only frustrating for passengers, but they pose a huge security risk. How? Travellers who are standing in the queue are exposed to potential attackers and are among people who could be carrying dangerous materials. That’s where intelligent cameras come in. They minimise the number of these situations by preventing the queues from becoming too long.

 

A video solution also offers movement guidance on the number of people waiting at each checkpoint and those who have passed, making it easier to monitor.

 

Feel free to get in touch with Bayanat Engineering for more information, guidance and support on security solutions inside airports. With specialism and expertise in air traffic management and airside and terminal systems, our professional and friendly team is happy to provide a wide selection of solutions to fulfil the needs of airport authorities and civil aviation.

The future of communication technology in the aviation industry

The aviation industry is a thriving industry that is experiencing significant growth. Alongside that growth is a constant push for innovation and development, which is necessary to keep up with demand. Advancements in aeronautics and air traffic management are essential to creating usable frameworks that can handle future growth within the industry.

 

The three biggest components of effective air traffic management are communications, navigation and surveillance. In this article, we are going to look at the future of communication technology in the aviation industry to determine what air traffic management tools might be implemented in the future.

 

Free Space Optical Communications (FSOC)

 

Free-space optical communication (FSOC) is a type of optical communication technology that uses light to transmit data. FSOC relies on light propagating in free space (air, outer space, in a vacuum or in water) to wirelessly send data for telecommunication. This is in contrast to communication that uses solid space, such as fibre optic cables.

 

The major benefit that FSOC brings to air traffic management is that air traffic controllers can stay in communication with aircraft in remote areas, in the middle of the ocean and even during severe weather.

 

Fibre optic systems provide high-speed digital links across most of the globe. However, in some cases, it is impossible or impractical to lay down fibre optic cable. Free Space Optical Communications offers an alternative. It can provide high-speed connectivity to link air, land and maritime platforms.

 

Troposcatter communications

 

Troposcatter communications, also known as tropospheric scatter, is a form of communication that uses microwave signals over long distances that span up to 200 miles. Using the tropospheric scatter phenomenon, radio waves can be transmitted through the upper layers of the troposphere. A narrow beam is aimed just above the horizon, towards the receiving station. As the signal passes through the troposphere, energy is scattered back to earth which allows the receiving station to pick up the communication.

 

When using microwave frequency ranges for standard communication, you are limited by the visible line of sight where a receiver can be seen by the transmitter. This tends to limit distances to around 40 miles. Troposcatter communications can extend this significantly, which can help air traffic controllers who are working in areas with poor satellite coverage.

 

Near vertical incidence skywave

 

Near vertical incidence skywave (NVIS) is a type of skywave radio-wave propagation that allows for communication over a long distance (around 400 miles). Radio waves are sent in an almost vertical direction into the ionosphere, where the waves are refracted back to our atmosphere where a receiver can pick up the communication.

 

It is an incredibly useful form of communication in areas that are working through disaster relief communications, but the aviation industry could see benefits from this technology. It is an ideal communication method for developing regions with no existing infrastructure, which can help air traffic controllers communicate with aircraft over these areas.

Defense technology and equipment in the aviation industry

The aviation industry is responsible for the safety of billions of passengers that take to the skies every year. There are evergrowing threats to aviation in the form of terrorism, cyber-attacks, airborne threats, and countless other potential dangers. To combat this, the aerospace and defense industry has devised a number of defense technologies and equipment to keep the skies safe. In this article, we are going to look at the latest industry innovations that are protecting the aviation industry.

 

Screening technology

 

Screening technology has been in the aviation industry for decades at this point with x-ray machines first being implemented to check passenger luggage for contraband. Modern x-ray machines use diffraction technology to determine what substances might be in luggage, such as liquid explosives.

 

Full-body scanners have become one of the more commonly used forms of screening technology for the aviation industry. Transmission security scanners can provide full-body images of passengers and let security staff search for swallowed contraband or items hidden within the body.

 

Biometrics

 

Biometric technology is another defense technology that allows airlines to accurately identify individuals based on their unique traits. Facial recognition software can be used to detect fake passports or to identify known, wanted criminals. This is a streamlined way of performing security at airports and improves defense without impacting efficiency.

 

Early warning systems

 

Early warning systems, such as the Saab GlobalEye, are a type of radar system that is performed mid-flight. An electro-optic/infrared sensor turret is attached to an aircraft which provides surveillance for airspaces. They have a range that spans hundreds of kilometers which allows for the early detection of incoming threats such as missiles and unknown aircraft.

 

The early warning systems are integrated to communicate with air traffic controllers and keep them informed of any changes or known threats picked up by the system. It is an incredibly robust system that can handle incredibly fast objects such as missiles to slow, low-flying helicopters.

 

Cyber security

 

Cyber security is quickly becoming the biggest challenge for aviation defense and security. As technology continues to advance, there are more threats to the various systems required for aviation. Cybercriminals directly target important infrastructures such as air traffic control hardware and software. Criminals hack into airport servers to steal information, corrupt software, and damage systems. To combat these threats, cyber security tools have been developed to keep unwanted intruders out of protected information systems.

 

Bespoke software solutions applied to areas such as air traffic management and radar can help secure the aviation industry and protect it against these types of threats. Cyber threat intelligence is becoming more important and security monitoring services are running constantly to protect airlines from cyber attacks.

 

Many of these solutions are cloud-based, so even if hackers manage to penetrate a system there is no way that they can stop the defense systems from kicking in. Other tools that have shown to be incredibly useful to the aviation industry include vulnerability management and collaboration protection. Ultimately, it is about keeping the most vital aspects of the aviation industry safe and secure from prying eyes.

What are the real-world impacts of environmental solutions used within airports?

The airport is a major hub for people travelling around the world. Airports contribute to global warming through air travel, car use, and emissions from power plants that supply energy to airports.

With many countries around the world pledging a target of zero net emissions by 2050, it’s becoming increasingly important for airline managers and aviation executives to prioritize a ‘clean-up’ of the aviation industry, which means structuring future decisions around environmental priorities and making changes to existing processes to reduce carbon emissions across airports.

Why are environmental considerations important in airports?

The aviation industry is already notorious for its contribution to global warming. According to Sustainia, in 2016, European airports generated 7.6 million tons of CO2 equivalent per year which is 16% of total EU aviation emissions.

Making changes to reduce these emissions is vital to the long-term health of the aviation industry and its employees. Airport sustainability solutions are important because they reduce carbon emissions while also improving environmental conditions for travellers and workers at the airport.

How can airports clean up their act?

Environmental management systems have been established to help airports understand their environmental footprint and develop strategies for improvement.

Airport managers can implement a variety of initiatives to reduce carbon emissions in their airport including, but not limited to:

– Changing policies on cleaning methods at the airport
– Installing solar panels or wind turbines
– Using electric vehicles instead of gas-powered ones.
– Making improvements to passenger journeys to reduce transport emissions between terminals
– Using advanced weather systems to mitigate the impact of weather on fuel consumption
– Investing in biofuels and other sustainable fuel technologies

One of the best ways to improve sustainability in airports is by educating workers and travellers about what they can do. Making sustainable choices is a small change that can have a big impact on future generations.

How will these changes have a real-world impact on the environment?

Making even small, incremental changes to airport policy can have serious impacts both on the finances of the airport itself as well as the global aviation industry.

The reduction of CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases can make a substantial difference in the world’s climate change goals, and these changes will play an important role in convincing consumers to continue travelling by air as ethics and sustainability become key deciding factors in consumer’s minds when making purchases and travel plans.

It is essential that airport managers begin to make small changes now with a view to revolutionizing the carbon footprint of airports and aeroplanes over the next decade, both in order to protect the planet and the future of air flight as a valid means of transportation.

At Bayanat Engineering, we are world leaders in civil and military engineering and aerospace solutions for use by airports, airlines, and other aviation organizations across the globe. We deliver cutting-edge solutions designed to maximize efficiency and cost-effectiveness while reducing the environmental impact of flight and ensuring a sustainable, promising future for our clients.

To find out more about our custom aviation technology solutions, contact us at Bayanat Engineering today.

How meteorological forecasting technologies can improve public safety

With extreme weather events on the rise as a result of global heating, researchers are working hard to improve the accuracy of meteorological warning systems. From lightning detection systems to pressure and wind detectors, the quality of technologies used in early warning systems is rising at an impressive rate. With this in mind, how can scientists improve public safety via forecasting technologies? And how can they leverage predictive intelligence to mitigate the impact of storms and heatwaves on public health?

 

Why do accurate local weather forecasts matter?

 

Weather forecasting helps authorities and individuals make important decisions such as whether to postpone certain events, close roads, or evacuate people from their homes. While regional forecasts are often helpful for making these decisions, lack of detailed and location-specific forecasting can lead to the following problems:

 

• Unforeseen repair costs: Property owners need to know when to protect their homes from extreme weather events.
• Safety risks: Storms, hurricanes, and heatwaves represent a threat to the health and wellbeing of local residents. An accurate weather forecast helps people prepare for the worst.
• Supply chain disruptions: Weather events can slow down or completely halt vital supply chains, leaving local residents in need of vital supplies.

 

How are scientists improving weather forecasting and simulation technologies?

 

High-performance computing (HPC) represents a promising technology in the field of climate research and could help to boost the speed and quality of weather research. Here’s how:

 

• It helps scientists deploy data-heavy weather models.
• It can be used to record highly accurate temporal and spatial weather simulations.
• It can be used for managing very high and proliferating volumes of data.
• It can reduce the time it takes to alert authorities to dangers.

 

Data analysis is very important for meteorologists and climate scientists, providing access to actionable intelligence such as geospatial, climate, and atmospheric data. To collect this data, scientists gather facts and figures from sources such as meteorological sensors, satellites, and weather stations. Once they have collected enough information, they can use visualization technologies to create complex weather models based on the present, past, and future conditions.

 

Once models have been drawn, researchers can use predictive analytics technologies to come up with accurate weather warnings. Thanks to the proliferation of machine learning in recent years, these predictive capacities are more sophisticated than ever before and help scientists to predict hazardous weather events long before they occur.

 

How to leverage predictive analytics

 

Predictive analytics can be applied in the following ways:

 

• Boost safety and accountability across a range of contexts: Accurate weather forecasts can help leaders and authority figures make decisions about, for example, setting employees’ work hours, closing schools, evacuating vulnerable areas, and much more.
• Enhance logistics operations: Location-specific forecasts can help logistics companies and local authorities protect against supply chain issues and organise backup options with alternative vendors.
• Boost infrastructural resilience: Predictive analytics can help authorities avoid severe weather damage through improved machinery and materials. What’s more, maintenance teams with advance warnings about extreme weather events have a better chance of surviving storms, floods, and other occurrences.

MLAT Systems: What are they and why are they so important?

When operating an airport it is important to have a comprehensive idea of the location of all aircraft at all times. After all, losing a plane in the skies above isn’t only dangerous for that plane and the airport, but potentially for other aircraft flying into the immediate vicinity of one another. That’s where technology such as multilateration (MLAT) comes in handy. Read on to learn more about MLAT systems and why they are key to the long term functionality of modern airports.

 

What is an MLAT system?

 

An MLAT system is a surveillance system used at airports, initially developed by the world’s militaries to locate aircraft that don’t want to be seen. Typically aircraft are detected through the use of transponders which relay information to a series of ground stations to inform airports of the location of the plane, but in the case of military planes, many lack transponders due to the need for stealth. MLAT systems are seeing increasing use in non-military settings, as a plane with a faulty transponder still needs to be found by air traffic control. MLAT systems allow airports to retain full control of the skies, avoiding the risks of lost planes and sending flights into uncontrolled airspace.

 

How do MLAT systems differ from RADAR?

 

If you thought that this system sounds similar to RADAR, you’d be right. Both are based on signals being sent into the sky and reflected responses providing a position of aircraft. However, MLAT systems do so in a far more responsive and reliable manner. Based on a wide network of ground stations all detecting the situation in the skies, positional data about a plane gets relayed and updated within a second rather than RADAR’s delays of around four seconds. MLAT systems in this case are much more useful for airports, as the airport has a level of certainty over the exact position and estimated velocity of the air traffic in question.

 

Why are MLAT systems especially useful in Qatar?

 

Qatar is soon to be one of the busiest airspaces in the world. With the eyes of the world all focusing on the desert state throughout the World Cup in 2022, and events such as the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix contribute to the sheer volume of flights needed to keep Qatar’s logistics running as smoothly as they need to. MLAT systems mean that even when Hamad International Airport is at the height of busyness in these high traffic periods, it can handle everything the world’s incoming audiences have to throw at it. MLAT systems working closely in tandem with other navigation and communication technology means that airports can operate like a well-oiled machine.

 

 

To find out more about MLAT systems and airport solutions and a host of other aspects of airport technology, get in touch with the Bayanat Engineering team. We are always happy to discuss our work, so learn more about how our top-of-the-line solutions keep high-volume international airports working at their best by talking to our friendly experts today.

Extra low voltage and low current systems

The aviation industry can benefit tremendously from implementing extra-low voltage (ELV) and low current systems. ELV systems empower airports to be more efficient with their energy consumption in a way that can be integrated into their current technologies. From making systems that are faster, more efficient or more useful, ELV systems offer a wave of innovation and cost-saving for the aviation industry. This article is going to look at ELV systems and their uses in the industry, as well as developing trends within ELV systems.

 

What is an ELV system?

 

An ELV system, sometimes known as a low current system, is an engineering framework that uses low voltages to function. It has proved to be incredibly useful in areas and industries where electrical equipment – particularly high voltage equipment – can be hazardous. Airports are an excellent example of a space that benefits from ELV systems. If a device or circuit functions in the range of 50V A.C and 120V D.C then it falls under the category of an ELV system.

 

How does the aviation industry use ELV systems?

 

Extra-low voltage systems are an incredibly useful framework to make airport facilities safer and more efficient. They can be implemented across a range of locations such as satellite television systems that use antennas to receive and broadcast channels from one feed. ELV systems have also been used successfully in public announcements and voice alarm systems to relay information across an airport.

 

ELV systems are also useful when it comes to presentations via video signage and multimedia monitors. These are dotted across airports to update passengers about important updates to flights or general information relating to the airport.

 

Another important function of ELV systems is to power pathfinding systems such as maps and signage. Airports can be enormous, which causes a lot of passengers to get lost. Using ELV systems to help passengers navigate large airports helps keep costs down while still help passengers navigate airports.

 

Other uses for ELV systems include fire alarm and suppression systems, which are constantly powered. These are integral to the overall safety of the airport if there ever was a fire, so an ELV system can keep fire alarms powered constantly without using a lot of power. ELV systems are also used to power master clocks, which are used to keep information like flight schedules on time across airports.

 

Future trends for ELV systems

 

The future trends that are developing for ELV systems in airports all point towards more integration. Bringing together different ELV systems that use a shared data network will make airports even more efficient as the cost of cabling and making new pathways is removed.

 

Other innovations and trends in ELV systems point to upgrading from any of the analogue solutions found in airports. Facsimile, or fax machines, are an excellent example of an analogue technology used in airports that are inevitably going to be replaced with an ELV system.

 

ELV systems hold a great deal of promise for airports in terms of efficiency and functionality. Over time, the implementations of ELV systems will improve how airports operate, cut back on energy consumption and streamline overall facility operations.