Assessment of airspace surveillance and control in Albanian territory from the current and historical prospective

Abstract

The main goal of this article is to present the background importance of airspace control and surveillance with aim to increase the capacity of detecting potential issues and establish a safety traffic flow management and the optimal allocation of airspace resources. Further on the approach consider the multi-sector airspace scenario established after the second world war, securing the territorial integrity, provision of maritime and airspace monitoring. To that fact immediately after the year 1944 the relevant military structure was organized for aerial surveillance, notification and communication with a reduced force, which was organized in visual posts equipped with optical tools with limited capabilities in detection distances, that alter on was accomplished via radio-electronic means. In an organized manner and with a clearly defined mission, the radio-locator stations have started their work in the unified system. In terms of variety, radar stations of various types of Soviet production were used, and after the seventies, the radar-park was completed with other more powerful Chinese production stations. With further advancements the electronic airspace detection power absolutely guaranteed the air sovereignty of Albania, in the conditions where the closed skies strategy was implemented for over 40 years. The experience accumulated over the years, the studies and experiments carried out have turned this service into an integral part of NATO.