The FOD (foreign-object debris) Finder XM arrived at MCAS Iwakuni on Mar. 28. The FOD Finder system increases the operational readiness, efficiency and safety of airports and air stations by reducing both the downtime of and repair costs for commercial and military aircraft affected by FOD.

The FOD Finder XM is the only certified mobile FOD detection system approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and is designed to detect, retrieve and identify runway debris. The FOD Finder can operate at 50 kilometers per hour and has the ability to detect FOD in all weather conditions - including rain, snow, fog, haze and nighttime environments.

The FOD Finder XM, which was funded by Headquarters Marine Corps, is capable of cataloging runway debris and identifying areas of FOD accumulation over time. The FOD Finder XM enhances the safety of pilots, aircraft – commercial and military – and the local community by improving the effectiveness of FOD detection and removal, and by reducing runway downtime associated with FOD inspection and removal.

Please visit Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni’s DVIDS page for photos of the air station’s newest FOD detection system.
https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/MCAS-I