Definition
Air traffic control radar equipment that uses computer processing to automatically track aircraft, display identifying data tags alongside each radar return, and apply separation logic. These systems combine primary radar (which detects aircraft by reflected signal) and secondary surveillance radar (which interrogates aircraft transponders) and present the controller with a processed display showing aircraft position, altitude, identity, ground speed, and other flight data.
Plain English
Modern air traffic control radar that doesn't just show blips on a screen. The computer attaches a label to each aircraft showing who it is, how high it is, and how fast it's going, and it helps the controller keep aircraft safely apart.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of air traffic control separation, especially how controllers monitor aircraft and keep them safely spaced in controlled airspace.
Derivation
Computerized comes from computer, related to Latin computare, meaning to count or calculate. Radar comes from radio detection and ranging, meaning finding an object and its distance by using radio waves. Together, the phrase points to radar information that is calculated and organized by computers so controllers can use it quickly.
Why Pilots Care
They enable tighter yet safe separation minima and higher traffic capacity than older manual radar methods.
Intuition Check
Computerized does not mean the system is flying the airplane or making every decision automatically. It means computers help process and display radar information for the controller.
Example Sentence 1
Approach control was using computerized radar systems, so the controller could see our altitude readout the moment we checked in.
Example Sentence 2
Upgraded computerized radar systems allow more departures per hour from busy airports.