View of the U.S. Army radar tower (1982)

Monitoring the airspace

The filigree design of the radar tower, built in 1982, is a deliberate contrast to the monumental architectural style of the airport. Adolf Behrens developed this radar tower on behalf of the U.S. Army.

The tower head stands on four pillars like a bowl. When it storms, the pillars sway, but the tower head with ring platform and dome does not move a millimeter. A highly sensitive radar device is housed in the dome.

During the Cold War, the Air Force controlled the airspace in the so-called Eastern Bloc from here. Since 1993, the German Air Force has used this radar system to monitor German airspace.

The special design ensures that the radar continues to function properly to this day.