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Bird strikes may sound like a minor aviation hazard, but a collision at high speed can damage engines, windscreens and other critical aircraft components. The risk becomes particularly difficult to manage during migration periods, when large flocks can cross military training areas and flight routes with little warning.
The German Armed Forces have developed a new software system designed to give aviation personnel a clearer picture of that threat. Called VoVisWxBw, the platform analyzes radar observations of bird activity in real time and turns large volumes of raw data into warnings that can be used during flight planning and operations.
The system processes more than 800,000 radar data points every hour. Instead of requiring specialists to interpret individual radar returns, the platform organizes the information into two- and three-dimensional visualizations showing where birds are moving and how their activity is developing.
It can also create animated sequences of flock movements, making migration patterns easier to recognize over time. Geographic information about bird sanctuaries is incorporated into the platform as another layer, helping operators identify locations where elevated bird activity may be more likely.
Current observations are not analyzed in isolation. Historical radar information is stored in an optimized database and can be compared with new measurements, providing additional context when specialists assess present conditions.
According to NextGenDefense, the resulting information feeds directly into BIRDTAM, or Bird Notice to Airmen, reports. These warnings inform military and civilian aviation users about areas where bird activity may create an increased collision risk, allowing crews and planners to adjust routes, timing or other aspects of flight operations.
Security was also incorporated into the software architecture. A role-based access system determines which users can view particular information, restricting sensitive data to authorized personnel.
The platform replaces an older radar-processing application that had been used until 2025. According to the military, that system had become technically outdated and increasingly difficult to maintain. Its replacement was developed within several months using an agile development process completed at the end of last year.
The operational need is significant. The German Armed Forces record more than 130 bird collisions annually. In 2024, 10% of wildlife-strike incidents associated with its flight operations resulted in damage.
For military aviation, avoiding those incidents has implications beyond repair costs. Aircraft availability directly affects training and operational readiness, while bird activity can complicate low-altitude and high-speed flying in particular.
The platform demonstrates how existing radar information can become more useful when paired with faster processing and visualization. Rather than simply recording where birds have been, the software is intended to provide personnel with an updated picture of where the collision risk is developing, and enough warning to avoid it.
