System Overview
FOD Finder™ has been rated the best performance product in the industry by the United States (US) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) with reported 100 percent detection and no false alarm in all weather conditions, day and night.

Trex’s FOD Finder™ is built on the patented radar technology and the most reliable manufacturing processes.  Trex is a world leader of millimeter-wave (MMW) technology and engineering. During the past quarter century, Trex has received more than $100M funding from various sources to develop MMW products for both military and commercial applications in areas of communications, security and aviation. FOD Finder™ radar was originally developed for the US Department of Defense (DoD) to detect high tension power lines in the helicopter’s flight path, to land helicopters in brown-out situation and later was tested for trigger wire detection of roadside bomb threat.

The Trex FOD Finder™ has been recognized by the industry as a ground-breaking technology which could take airport/airbase security and safety to greater heights. In 2010, Trex FOD Finder™ was the winner of the Innovation in Motion (Aerospace & Security Technologies) Award in the USA.

Fixed and Mobile Solutions to Meet Your Airfield Needs
The Trex FOD Finder™ is built with a patented radar design that uses low power millimeter output (<0.05W) at 78-81 GHz frequency and low-profile configuration (1.5m x 1.5m x1m <250 kg).  It provides high sensitivity, low dwelling time, suitable coverage and high location resolution capability.  Unlike an electro-optical system, MMW radar works day and night and in all weather conditions, including fog, rain, snow, haze and sand storms and its performance is not affected by the air shimmering observed in high temperatures.

The MMW radar can be placed either on a fixed or on a mobile platform for FOD detection as shown below:

Trex FOD Finder™ XF is a fixed-site FOD detection system designed for 24/7 continuous runway monitoring.		Trex FOD Finder™ XM is a mobile FOD detection and retrieval system designed for runway, taxiway and apron operation. The XM can be operated at driving speeds up to 50 km per hour.

Trex is the only company that makes FOD Finder™ products that provide a total solution for the airport FOD detection and retrieval covering runways, taxiways and apron area.  Trex’s FOD Finder™ has received a waiver from US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on July 11, 2013 to be used in and around the airports as FOD detection equipment.  The FAA has included both Trex FOD Finder™ systems, XF and XM, in its Nationwide Buy-American Waivers List (FOD Finder™ XF was issued August 31, 2011 and FOD Finder™ XM, May 14, 2012).  The FOD Finder system is also available on GSA, providing a hassle-free buying experience for domestic sales.