Originally, secondary radar technology was created while developing the radar to

Originally, secondary radar technology was created while developing the radar to

• A. Identify a radar aircraft target as friend or foe
• B. Provide altitude information only
• C. Improve image resolution
• D. Enhance encryption of data

Answer: (C)

Secondary radar adds data from aircraft transponders to the basic radar returns, giving air traffic control more than just range and bearing. The key motivation for its development was to obtain altitude information, which enables vertical separation of aircraft and safer, more efficient sequencing in the airspace. The transponder on the aircraft replies to ground interrogations with encoded data, including altitude (Mode C), so controllers can see how high each plane is. While identification features (like friend-or-foe codes) are part of transponder systems, the essential benefit that drove the creation of secondary radar was obtaining altitude information to manage air traffic more effectively.

Secondary radar adds data from aircraft transponders to the basic radar returns, giving air traffic control more than just range and bearing. The key motivation for its development was to obtain altitude information, which enables vertical separation of aircraft and safer, more efficient sequencing in the airspace. The transponder on the aircraft replies to ground interrogations with encoded data, including altitude (Mode C), so controllers can see how high each plane is. While identification features (like friend-or-foe codes) are part of transponder systems, the essential benefit that drove the creation of secondary radar was obtaining altitude information to manage air traffic more effectively.