Definition
The network of ground-based radar facilities operated by the Federal Aviation Administration to detect, track, and provide separation services for aircraft operating in the National Airspace System. Includes long-range air route surveillance radar (ARSR) used by Air Route Traffic Control Centers, terminal-area airport surveillance radar (ASR) used by approach and departure control, and precision and surface-movement radars at certain airports.
Plain English
The radars the FAA uses on the ground to see where airplanes are. Different radars cover different areas — some watch large sections of cross-country airspace, others watch the airspace around a busy airport.
Context Anchor
Seen in training material about air traffic control services, instrument flying, and how controllers monitor aircraft.
Derivation
Radar comes from RAdio Detection And Ranging — a system that sends out radio waves and listens for the echoes bouncing back from aircraft. Knowing this helps explain why radar coverage depends on line-of-sight and can be blocked by terrain.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots depend on these systems for radar traffic advisories, IFR separation, and safe operations in controlled airspace.
Intuition Check
Do not assume FAA radar systems are one single radar unit. The phrase refers to a network of FAA-used radar equipment that helps controllers track aircraft.
Example Sentence 1
Pilots learning about ATC services study how FAA radar systems provide coverage from departure through cruise and into the arrival airport.
Example Sentence 2
Instructors often highlight how FAA radar systems combine primary skin paints with transponder returns for reliable tracking.