What is the primary purpose of radar in airfield operations?

• A. To detect and track aircraft and weather to support safe separation and operations.
• B. To guide ground vehicle movements on the airfield.
• C. To measure humidity near runways.
• D. To communicate weather information to pilots verbally.

Answer: (A)

Radar in airfield operations is used to provide real-time surveillance of aircraft and weather around the airport so controllers can maintain safe separation, sequence arrivals and departures, and respond to weather hazards. It continuously detects where airplanes are, how fast they’re moving, and their altitude, while also indicating precipitation or storms that could affect approaches, departures, or runway use. This combination lets controllers make timely, safe decisions about routing and spacing. Other options involve ground vehicle guidance, humidity measurement, or verbally relaying weather information, which are not the primary sensing and situational awareness role of radar.