Aside from primary radar, how did ATC monitor planes' locations before ADS-B?

Asked Feb 08 '23 at 22:23

Active Feb 08 '23 at 22:23

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From what I understand, air traffic controllers can monitor planes with radar, often called primary radar, or with ADS-B. I've seen ADS-B called "secondary radar," although it isn't really radar, but I've also seen the phrase "secondary radar" used referring to something that ADS-B replaced. I've also seen references to "SSR" (secondary surveillance radar? just a guess), which also appears to have been replaced by ADS-B.

My understanding:

Primary radar: "normal" radar, similar to what ships have; has been used for a long time and is still used
Secondary radar: originally "SSR"(?); SSR replaced by ADS-B

Is this correct?

asked Feb 08 '23 at 22:23

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secondary_surveillance_radar – Greg Hewgill Feb 08 '23 at 22:41
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Does this answer your question? What is the difference between SSR and ADS-B? and see also How is radar separation assured between primary and secondary targets? – randomhead Feb 09 '23 at 00:02
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See also too How prevalent is traditional radar tracking of commercial aircraft? ...it seems like any one of the "related" posts that should have appeared when you typed this question would have answered it. – randomhead Feb 09 '23 at 00:12

Aside from primary radar, how did ATC monitor planes' locations before ADS-B?

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