Definition
A ground-based radar system used by air traffic control to detect and track aircraft at long distances, typically out to about 200 nautical miles. Long range radar is generally used for en route surveillance of aircraft flying at higher altitudes between airports, rather than for traffic close to a single airport.
Plain English
A radar that can see aircraft from far away, used to follow planes during the cruise portion of their flight rather than near airports.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA abbreviation lists, air traffic control discussions, and radar coverage information.
Derivation
Radar comes from “radio detection and ranging,” meaning the use of radio energy to find an object and determine how far away it is. “Long range” tells you this radar is built for distance rather than close-in airport viewing.
Why Pilots Care
Extended radar coverage improves safety and enables more direct routing in remote areas.
Example Sentence 1
Once the flight climbed above 10,000 feet, it was tracked by long range radar at the en route center.
Example Sentence 2
Long range radar allowed continuous tracking even after leaving terminal airspace.