HC Deb 30 October 1995 vol 265 c82W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by date and location for the last 12 months the low flying monitoring that has been carried out by the RAF Skyguard radars; and what were the results on each occasion. [39529]

Mr. Soames

I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd) of 19 October 1995,Official Report, column 344. No breaches of military low flying regulations were detected during the deployments conducted between 1 November 1994 and 20 October 1995, although the results of the Huntingdon deployment between 17 and 20 October 1995 are provisional until the radar and video tapes have been analysed.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the operational range of the RAF Skyguard radars; and if he will make a statement. [39527]

Mr. Soames

The maximum range of the Skyguard radar in the search mode is approximately 20 km and in the tracking mode, 15 km. However, effective ranges will vary according to the nature of the terrain in which the radar is operating.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by date and location for the last 12 months the low flying monitoring that has been carried out by the RAF Skyguard radar in the electronic warfare training at Royal Air Force, Spadeadam; and what were the results on each occasion. [39528]

Mr. Soames

The Skyguard radar has not been used to monitor military flying at low level within the electronic warfare tactics range at RAF Spadeadam during the past 12 months.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the designation of each unit that currently operates the Royal Air Force Skyguard radar. [39526]

Mr. Soames

The RAF Skyguard radars are operated by RAF Spadeadam personnel when operating in the electronic warfare threat role and by RAF Spadeadam and RAF police flying complaints flight personnel when monitoring military low flying.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Skyguard radars are in operational service with the Royal Air Force; and if he will make a statement. [39530]

Mr. Soames

There are two Skyguard radars in operational service with the Royal Air Force and one in-use reserve.