Possível ano para começar em funcionamento? 2018, 2020?
Sinceramente acho que estás a ser otimista

Possível ano para começar em funcionamento? 2018, 2020?
Qual seria o alcance?
Mais valia instalar outro na Terceira. Mas não é tão fácil assim.
Esses "ground radar" creio que nada tem haver com meteorologia, mas sim ao TCAS e à identificação via transpondes...Specialized communicators guide aircraft into Lajes Field
When most people think of a communications squadron they likely visualize rooms full of network servers, land mobile radios or computers. Well, there's a special team of communicators that's sometimes overlooked within the 65th Communications Squadron. That team -the ATCALS section- maintains ground radars, navigational aids and weather systems integral in our wing's mission to support combat airpower.
The Air Traffic Control And Landing System (ATCALS) section consists of ground radar and airfield systems maintainers. Airman 1st Class Ashley Stupin, an airfield systems maintenance technician within the 65th CS, performs scheduled preventive maintenance inspections and repairs outages on the two tactical air navigation sites, commonly referred to as TACANs, as well as other navigational aids.
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http://www.lajes.af.mil/news/story_print.asp?id=123326022