Madrid, January 13, 2025.
- To avoid entering areas affected by adverse weather, aircraft are equipped with weather radar systems that detect and map meteorological conditions along the flight path.
In adverse weather conditions, aircraft rely on safety systems to anticipate and avoid such situations. This is every time more important as climate change leads to more variable and unpredictable weather patterns, highlighting the critical need to develop systems capable of forecasting and mitigating weather-related risks.
To steer clear of areas where adverse weather is occurring, aircraft are equipped with weather radar systems. A weather radar is a device installed in the nose of the aircraft, housed within a protective cover called a radome. Its primary function is to detect and map weather conditions along the flight.
“The system operates by emitting pulses of radiofrequency energy that travel through the air,” explain experts at ANZEN Engineering, a company specializing in aerospace and aeronautical engineering. “When these pulses encounter precipitation particles such as raindrops, snow, or hail, they are reflected back to the radar,” they add. The time it takes for the pulse to return determines the distance from the radar, while the strength of the returns helps identify the type and intensity of precipitation. This information is processed and displayed on cockpit screens, which use color codes to represent precipitation intensity and symbols to indicate other weather phenomena if applicable.
According to the company, many modern radar systems utilize the Doppler effect to measure the velocity of particles in the air. “This allows detection not only of precipitation but also of wind speed and direction within storm systems,” they explain.
Next-generation radars automatically and continuously scan the airspace, performing both horizontal and vertical sweeps. This provides pilots with an intuitive three-dimensional view of weather conditions without the need for manual adjustments.
“This is especially useful to help pilots focus their attention, identify areas of turbulence, and make informed decisions about altitude changes,” they confirm.
Additionally, radars help map cloud structures, enabling pilots to identify convective developments such as thunderstorms, which can lead to significant hazards.
The use of weather radar systems in aircraft not only enhances safety by helping to avoid dangerous weather conditions during flight or providing critical information during takeoff and landing—it also boosts operational efficiency. “By providing precise weather data, radars enable pilots to plan more efficient routes, saving both time and fuel,” emphasize sources at ANZEN Engineering.
About ANZEN Engineering
ANZEN Engineering is an international engineering company specialized in critical systems for the aerospace and defense sectors. Founded in 2019, it supports technically complex projects around the world, providing expertise in safety, reliability, airworthiness, ILS, cybersecurity, and MBSE. Its multidisciplinary team works with globally recognized standards, ensuring the certification and robustness of the platforms it supports. With a presence in Europe, the U.S., and the Middle East, ANZEN strengthens its position as a strategic, reliable, and independent partner committed to technical excellence and sustainable innovation.
Media contact
Raquel Parra
r.parra@iprisma.es
