Facilities Safety

Secondary Deterrence Unit (SDU)

Field-deployed bird deterrence unit combining sonic and ultrasonic acoustics, a green laser and a propane sound cannon across a 356 m diameter zone, under automatic, manual or remote control.

Secondary Deterrence Unit deployed in the field at dusk, with its acoustic array, laser head and propane cannon mounted on the cabinet
Manufacturer image · representative configuration
Coverage
356 m diameter
Deterrence
Acoustic, laser, cannon
Operating modes
Automatic / manual / remote
Laser range
Over 2,000 m at night

Integrated Multi-Technology Bird Deterrence System

The Secondary Deterrence Unit (SDU) is a field-deployed bird deterrence platform for airports and bird-sensitive environments. It combines acoustic, laser and propane sound-cannon deterrence in one unit, with automatic, manual and remote operation as part of an integrated bird detection and deterrence system.

Feature highlights

  • Integrated deterrence. Acoustic, laser and propane sound-cannon technologies in one field unit.
  • 356 m coverage. Each SDU provides deterrence coverage across a 356-metre diameter zone.
  • Automatic operation. The unit can be activated according to configured detection and deterrence rules.
  • Manual and remote control. Authorised operators can activate selected deterrence methods when required.
  • Radar integration. Designed to operate as part of an integrated bird detection and deterrence system.
  • Distributed deployment. Multiple SDUs can be positioned across protected airport operational areas.

Deterrence technologies

  • Sonic and ultrasonic acoustics. Ultrasonic output across 15-25 kHz and sonic output across 3-5 kHz.
  • Green laser. A 520 nm Class 3B laser effective up to 400 m by day and over 2,000 m at night.
  • Propane sound cannon. 130 dB at 1 m, on a selectable firing interval from 30 seconds to 2 hours.

Deployment

The SDU is a fixed outdoor installation, deployed across the area it protects. Multiple units can be positioned around runways, taxiways and aircraft movement areas and controlled as part of the central bird detection and deterrence system, with each unit also addressable on its own.

Deterrence can be triggered automatically from the detection system, by an operator at the control position, or remotely, so the response to a detected hazard can be selected for the situation rather than fixed in advance.

Technical specifications

SDU system

Product TypeSecondary Deterrence Unit (SDU)
System TypeIntegrated Bird Deterrence System
Coverage Diameter356 m
Deterrence TechnologiesSonic / Ultrasonic Acoustic, Green Laser, Propane Sound Cannon
Operating ModesAutomatic / Manual / Remote
Bird Detection System IntegrationSupported
Individual SDU ControlSupported
Deployment / InstallationDistributed field deployment / Fixed outdoor installation

Acoustic deterrence

Output TypeSonic & Ultrasonic
Ultrasonic Frequency Range15-25 kHz
Sonic Frequency Range3-5 kHz
Ultrasonic Sound Pressure95-102 dB at 1 m per speaker
Sonic Sound Pressure105-110 dB at 1 m per speaker
Speaker Dimensions4 × 4 × 6 in

Laser deterrence

Laser ClassClass 3B
Light / WavelengthGreen / 520 nm ± 10 nm
Optical Output Power400 mW
Daytime Effective RangeUp to 400 m
Nighttime Effective RangeOver 2,000 m
Environmental ProtectionIP67
Operating Temperature-40°C to approx. +65°C
Housing MaterialAircraft-grade aluminium, anodised finish
Dimensions8.7 × 1.5 × 1.6 in
Weight10 oz / approx. 283 g
Operating ModesMomentary / Strobe

Propane sound cannon

Sound Pressure Level130 dB at 1 m
Selectable Firing Interval30 seconds to 2 hours
Random Modes2
Multi-Shot Capability1, 2 or 3 shots
Timing Precision± 1%
Operating Temperature-20°C to +70°C
LPG EfficiencyApprox. 20,000 cycles per 20 lb LPG tank
Cannon Dimensions101.6 × 25.4 × 12.7 cm
Cannon Weight10.2 kg
Tripod Weight3.6 kg
Remote ActivationSupported
Emissions ComplianceFCC Part 15 Subpart B; EN 61000-6-3:2007; ICES-001 Issue 4

Applications

  • Runways
  • Taxiways
  • Aircraft movement areas
  • Airport perimeter
  • Wildlife-sensitive zones

Safety

The laser deterrent is a Class 3B device, and deterrence methods are activated by authorised operators or by the detection rules configured for the site. The propane sound cannon meets FCC Part 15 Subpart B, EN 61000-6-3:2007 and ICES-001 Issue 4.

Ready to scope the installation?

Send the site details and the throughput target. We will confirm the configuration, the civil requirements and what commissioning involves.

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