Saab has partnered with Finnish company Conlog Oy to offer a deployable version of its remote tower air traffic management system. The partners developed the r-TWR Deployable system for expeditionary and remote operations as well as disaster relief applications.
Saab is one of the pioneers of remote tower technology, placing a number of remote towers at civilian locations. The NATO air base at Geilenkirchen in Germany also has a Saab remote tower. Now it has packaged the technology into a twin-container configuration that can be transported by land vehicle or in a C-130-sized airlifter.
Conlog has developed the purpose-built containers that accommodate the system. The sensor module features a hydraulically-actuated mast that can deploy up to 30 meters in height, allowing the sensor suite to see over trees and other obstacles. Typically, the mast-top mounts six to eight cameras that provide uninterrupted 360-degree coverage, a pair of pan/tilt/zoom infrared cameras, and a signal light gun. It can also mount communications aerials and meteorological sensors. The module uses an integrated diesel generator and can operate unattended for long periods.
The remote tower control (RTC) module is an expandable container designed by Conlog that offers a comfortable environment for four to five operators. The company can also incorporate ballistic and nuclear/biological/chemical protection if required. Operators can control up to three mast modules from one RTC module, which proves especially useful in dispersed operations where aircraft might be flying from a number of locations. Three technicians can set up the remote tower systems for operation within an hour of deployment.
The r-TWR Deployable employs the same systems and software as Saab’s civilian products and is fully compatible with the company’s related offerings, including the Giraffe 1X air defense radar and the TactiCall secure communications system.