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Sweden develops transportable airport

David Landes
David Landes - [email protected]
Sweden develops transportable airport

Sweden’s military is testing a mobile airport in the north of the country which it hopes to deploy in the wake of natural disasters at home or overseas.

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By simply opening a few large containers, the Swedish military can set up a fully functioning airport basically anywhere, reports the Piteå-Tidningen newspaper.

In development since 2002, the system includes an air traffic control tower, radar, and landing lights, all of which can be easily packed up and transported

“The equipment is to be used domestically but I see advantages for international missions. If a tsunami destroys a permanent airport, you can set up our stuff in an open field and quickly begin transporting in aid by plane,” said Lars Kjellgren of the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), to the newspaper.

Tests are currently being carried out at the Missile Test Range North (RFN) in Vidsel, and several countries have already expressed an interest in the technology.

“The equipment is so unique that we’re being visited this week by military officials from Poland, the Netherlands, and England,” said Kjellgren.

In December the mobile airport equipment will be handed over to the Armed Forces, which can then start to put the system to use.

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