Radio Construction & Development Unit

Radio Construction & Development Unit
AbbreviationRCDU
TypeTechnical division
HeadquartersRajeev Gandhi Bhawan,

Safdarjung Airport,

New Delhi, India
Region served
India and neighbouring countries
Executive director (FIU & RCDU)
Sh. C Pattabhi
Parent organization
Airports Authority of India
WebsiteOfficial website

The Radio Construction & Development Unit (RCDU) is a specialized division under the Airports Authority of India (AAI). It is responsible for the installation, calibration, maintenance, and restoration of critical Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) systems at airports across India. Headquartered at Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi, the unit plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of Indian civil aviation.[1]

History and Overview

RCDU was established to centralize and strengthen AAI’s technical capacity for CNS infrastructure. Over the years, it expanded its scope to include equipment lifecycle management, modernization, and international calibration support.[1]

Functions

Key functions include:

  • Installation and commissioning of navigational aids like ILS, DME, DVOR, NDB, and VHF/HF radios.[1]
  • Ground optimization and calibration in coordination with the Flight Inspection Unit (FIU).
  • Emergency restoration during system failure or natural calamities.
  • Removal of obsolete equipment and integration of upgraded systems.

Organizational Structure

RCDU operates under the CNS department of AAI and works closely with:

  • Flight Inspection Unit (FIU) – conducts flight calibration.
  • Central Radio Stores Depot (CRSD) – manages spares and logistics.
  • Electrical & Mechanical (E&M) Workshop – provides technical support.[1]

Technical Capabilities

RCDU engineers handle:

  • Civil works planning and site preparation.
  • Installation and alignment of CNS equipment.
  • Ground calibration and optimization.
  • Flight calibration in partnership with FIU.
  • Post-installation support and troubleshooting.

It also maintains a ground calibration laboratory for testing and analysis.[1]

Flight Inspection Unit

The FIU ensures the accuracy of navigational aids through flight calibration, using aircraft like:

  • Dornier DO-228
  • King Air B-300

Key features:

  • Advanced systems such as AFIS-200, DGPS, and Laser Tracker.
  • ISO 9001:2008 certification.
  • Calibration support for defence airbases and neighbouring countries including Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Vietnam.[2][3]

International Services

In addition to domestic projects, RCDU and FIU extend calibration services to neighbouring countries under bilateral agreements, supporting regional aviation safety.[2]

Summary Table

Overview
AspectDetails
Core RoleInstallation, calibration, and maintenance of CNS systems
Key UnitsFIU, CRSD, E&M Workshop
Calibration AircraftDornier DO-228, King Air B-300
CertificationISO 9001:2008 (FIU)
HeadquartersSafdarjung Airport, New Delhi
Cross-border WorkNepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Vietnam
Recent ProjectsILS upgrade at Tiruchi; trunked mobile radio system at Chennai

See also

References

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