BAE Systems’ business development manager Norman Hutchinson, left, and Wing Cmdr Mark Presley.
ISLAND engineers behind a radar used in the fight against the Taliban have earned praise from a senior Royal Air Force officer.
Wing Cmdr Mark Presley paid tribute to the work of engineers at BAE Systems, Cowes, which built the Type 101 radar now used extensively in Afghan operations.
Having served four tours of duty in the war-ravaged country, Wing Cmdr Presley has first-hand experience of the value of the system.
"It has been used in the heat and dust of Afghanistan and has performed remarkably, allowing us to choreograph complex operations.
"It has been fascinating to come to Cowes and meet the people who built the radar and who have refurbished it in readiness for its return," he said, following a recent fact-finding trip to the company.
The system has played a key role in co-ordinating allied air operations, according to Wing Cmdr Presley.
His unit, 1 Air Control Centre (ACC), which has operated in Afghanistan, Iraq and other parts of the world, uses two of 20 Type 101 radars in operation around the world.
The contribution of 1 ACC and its radars was recognised by the UK Air Component Commander in Afghanistan, who described them as: "The most capable battlespace managers in the world."
BAE radar systems business development manager Norman Hutchinson: "We are very proud our radar has played such an important part in the success of operations directed by 1 ACC.
"We have produced three generations of this radar over the past 15 years and there is continued interest in further orders in several areas."
Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk