YVR Foreign Object Debris Radar Stations
Snapshot
Project
YVR Foreign Object Debris Radar Stations
Client
Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR)
Consultants
Hatch
Date of Completion
October 2026
Success
Project delivered on time and under budget
Project Overview
Whelan Construction delivered infrastructure upgrades at four foreign object debris (FOD) radar stations across YVR’s active airfield. The project included civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and communications work required to support upgraded Moog radar equipment. Construction was carefully sequenced around live airport operations, restricted airside access, equipment delivery, and Moog’s installation and commissioning activities.
Scope of Work
- Civil & Foundations: : Completed underground servicing, concrete equipment pads, foundations, and associated site work required for the station upgrades.
- Tower Modifications: Completed structural repairs and modifications to existing radar towers, including an engineered height reduction at FS4 to maintain compliance with YVR’s Obstacle Limitation Surface requirements.
- Mechanical Systems: Installed environmental control units, HVAC systems, and custom supply and return ductwork for the upgraded radar enclosures.
- Electrical & Communications: Installed power distribution, UPS and external battery systems, communications infrastructure, grounding, obstruction lighting, and lightning protection.
- Equipment Installation & Integration: Coordinated crane lifts and installation of YVR-supplied radar and support equipment, with Moog completing final radar integration, connections, testing, and commissioning.
Key Challenges & Solutions
The project required extensive logistical planning, including:
- Working Within an Active Airfield: Work required close coordination with YVR Airside Operations for escorts, permits, crane activity, restricted work periods, and access beside operational runways and taxiways.
- Coordinating 4 Separate Radar Stations: Construction was phased station by station to manage outages, site access, equipment installation, and commissioning while minimizing impacts to ongoing airport operations.
- Modifying existing tower infrastructure: Existing conditions, field dimensions, structural requirements, and equipment interfaces were verified before tower modifications and crane lifts. At FS4, Whelan coordinated a specially engineered structural modification to reduce the tower height while maintaining the required structural and operational performance.
- Managing Multiple Technical Interfaces: Whelan coordinated civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, communications, crane, and radar specialist teams around equipment delivery, installation, testing, and commissioning milestones.
