1960. Manila Control Tower provides both approach and aerodrome control services, there was no Radar equipment at that time thus, conventional approach was used to provide separation for arrival and departure and to monitor other traffic.
1968. The USAF in Clark Air Force Base (Pampanga) lent C.A.A. MPN 13 mobile radar and trained selected ATCs in the use of radar for approach control service. The MPN 13 radar is an analog radar that gives only primary responses represented by small moving blips. These blips are the actual position of aircraft in flight.
1975. New facility building was built to house the new Italian made SELENIA radar and approach control service was separated from the old MIA control tower. ATCs were trained in the use of the new airport surveillance radar. The SELENIA ASR provides the controller a better way of identifying aircraft with the use of secondary blip (SSR) response aside from the primary.
1979. After using the SELENIA radar for four (4) years, the Japanese government gave us the TOSHIBA radar system (analog). Toshiba radar has similar features with that of Selenia radar. Both radar are selected on Mode A only, and no Mode C capability yet.
1982. An update TOSHIBA radar system was acquired, which introduces use of digital Alpha/Numeric system and mode C. The Alpha/Numeric TOSHIBA radar was digital and with capability to determine aircraft on mode C, the altitude response of an aircraft in-flight. The aircraft represented by blips. The data that the controller can read on the radar display are the following:
Aircraft call sign – A/C ID
Aircraft speed reference to ground speed (knots)
Aircraft’s altitude (feet)
2001. In view of the fast deterioration of the performance of Toshiba Radar system due to lack of spare parts and obsolescence, a new NEC Radar system was acquired from the Japanese Government as grant. Building construction and facility renovations started to house the NC Radar system. The new system has the following features among others:
Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR)
Mono-pulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR) and
Terminal Radar Data Processing Sub-System (TRDPS), modern type of alpha/numeric radar.
2003. October of this year the new NEC radar system was officially commissioned for operation.
The operations and training facilities of Manila Radar is located at Radar St., Merville Access Road, Pasay City.