Plain English Meaning

The radar that controllers on the ground use to see where aircraft are, how high they are, and who they are, so they can give safe instructions to pilots.

Full Definition

Ground-based radar systems operated by Air Traffic Control to detect, identify, and track aircraft in flight, providing controllers with the position, altitude, and identity of aircraft so they can issue separation, sequencing, and routing instructions.

Context Anchor

You will see this term in arrival, approach, and controller-instruction discussions, especially when ATC is monitoring or guiding aircraft by radar.