§ Mr. ElletsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what limitations AWACS has in tracking slow-moving propellor-driven light aircraft; if he will make a statement on the reasons for these limitations and on their effects on the ability of the international community to police unauthorised air traffic over Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyAWACS was designed and developed to detect fast-moving military aircraft, larger than those suspected of violating the no-fly zone, flying beyond and below the coverage of surface radars. AWACS' performance in detecting small, slow-moving targets is less effective than for its primary role. The ability to detect these slow-moving targets is further inhibited by the "radar shadow" afforded by the mountainous terrain. Details of suspected violations are reported to the United Nations in a number of ways and the limitations of AWACS does not have a material effect on monitoring the operation of the no-fly zone.