Which radar technology is typically used for aircraft surveillance?

The selection of primary and secondary surveillance radar as the correct answer highlights its special role in managing aircraft movements in airspace. Primary surveillance radar (PSR) detects aircraft by sending out radio waves that bounce off the aircraft and return to the radar system, providing information on the aircraft's location and speed without requiring any onboard equipment. Secondary surveillance radar (SSR), on the other hand, relies on transponders installed in aircraft that respond to the radar signals, offering not only location but also altitude and identity information.

Together, these radar technologies provide comprehensive surveillance capabilities, ensuring the safety and efficiency of air traffic management. They are vital for air navigation services, allowing for timely detection and tracking of aircraft, which is essential for collision avoidance and flight safety. This dual approach enhances situational awareness for air traffic controllers, helping to maintain orderly flow in busy airspaces.

While weather radar, ground-penetrating radar, and photonic radar serve important functions in other fields, they do not provide the specific capabilities required for effective aircraft surveillance. Weather radar is primarily focused on meteorological phenomena, ground-penetrating radar is used for subsurface exploration, and photonic radar is an emerging technology not typically utilized in conventional aircraft surveillance. Thus, the unique operational advantages of