Airfield pavements as an element of the security system of the state's critical and defense infrastructure

Abstract

Modern high-speed aircraft which generate sufficiently high loads require well-designed, properly built and operated airfield pavements. These factors are aimed at ensuring the safety of both civilian and military aircraft. Considering the tasks, role and purpose of airport facilities, including: airports belonging to civil facilities, military airports, aeroclub airports, as well as airfield road sections, it can be concluded that they constitute an important element of the state's critical and defense infrastructure.
The technical condition of the surface of airport functional elements has a direct impact on the safety of air operations. This enforces the necessity to have up-to-date, full knowledge of pavement’s technical condition, which will allow to make appropriate decisions aimed at ensuring its safe operation.
The article presents issues related to the assessment of the airfield pavement’s technical condition, including: methodology of pavement degradation degree, load bearing capacity, evenness and roughness assessment, as well as normative documents and instructions. Possible operational threats to aircraft operations are also presented, as well as the works carried out to improve safety.