University of Montana researchers, partnering with Ellsworth and Offutt Air Force Bases, have developed innovative methods to maximize the potential of specialized avian radar systems for aviation safety and wildlife stewardship.
Webinar Invites Experts to Explore Radar Breakthroughs
Webinar Invites Experts to Explore Radar Breakthroughs (Image Credits: Pixabay)
The Military Lands Working Group hosts a focused session on these advancements next month. Scheduled for March 5, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., the event offers participants a deep dive into practical radar enhancements.
Registration remains open through a dedicated Zoom platform, ensuring accessibility for wildlife professionals and base managers alike. Recordings become available the following week at wildlife.org/events, with eligibility for one Continuing Education Unit in Category I for Certified Wildlife Biologists.
Strategic Partnerships Drive Radar Innovation
Teams at the University of Montana collaborated closely with personnel at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota and Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. This joint effort targeted the MERLIN radar systems, which provide dedicated avian detection.
These installations generate extensive tracking data over time, forming the foundation for refined analysis. Researchers capitalized on the radars’ precise monitoring to address persistent challenges in military aviation environments.
Core Techniques Transforming Raw Data
One key innovation involved classifying radar-detected tracks into specific bird morphological and biomass categories. This step enabled more accurate identification of species and flock sizes from automated feeds.
Investigators also mapped connections between local habitats and patterns of bird flight activity. Such insights reveal how vegetation, water sources, and land features influence aerial movements near runways.
Further, the team quantified bird strike risks in three dimensions, incorporating altitude, speed, and density factors. They produced manager-friendly tools from these autonomous systems, streamlining decision-making processes.
Direct Benefits for Safety and Conservation
For bird strike avoidance, the upgraded radar utility equips bases with proactive measures. Ellsworth and Offutt now access data-driven strategies to minimize encounters between aircraft and flocks.
In habitat management, the findings support targeted interventions. Managers gain evidence on which environmental adjustments most effectively alter bird behaviors, balancing operational needs with ecological health.
These developments extend beyond the bases, offering a model for other installations facing similar wildlife-aircraft conflicts.
- Classification of radar tracks refines bird identification for precise risk assessment.
- Habitat-flight activity links inform land-use decisions.
- Three-dimensional risk models and autonomous tools empower real-time management.
These radar enhancements mark a significant step toward safer skies and sustainable habitats around military facilities. As the webinar approaches, professionals stand to gain tools that bridge technology and conservation. What potential do you see for avian radar in your work? Share your thoughts in the comments.
