27 May 2003
An industry team led by BAE Systems has achieved a major step in development of the next-generation air traffic management system by successfully completing a series of Airborne Separation Assurance System (ASAS) trials. The first fully automatic ASAS manoeuvres were conducted in Rome as part of the MA-AFAS (More Autonomous Aircraft in the Future Air Traffic Management System) program, led by BAE Systems Avionic Systems with participation by 18 other organisations from across Europe. MA-AFAS was partly funded by the European Union (DG Research) and by the company.
Two aircraft, flying within 6 nautical miles of each other at the same flight level, completed "pass-behind" and "merge-behind" manoeuvres using an ADS-B (automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast) function that enables the aircraft to "see" each other regardless of weather conditions. Five flights, using aircraft from QinetiQ in the United Kingdom and the German research organisation DLR, demonstrated the core functions defined in ASAS Package 1. ASAS functions have been defined in three packages, with Package 1 recommended for early implementation by the European Commission and the airlines' Joint User Requirements Group.
"The successful demonstration of ASAS is a significant achievement for this team, and BAE Systems is proud to be part of this achievement," said Sue Wood, managing director of BAE Systems Avionic Systems, based in Rochester, U.K. "Increasing the availability and safety of Europe's increasingly crowded airspace is a goal we all share, and it's gratifying to play a role in this effort."
The other members of the team include: Galileo Avionica, Euro Telematik AG, Skysoft, Indra, Thales, QinetiQ, Eurocontrol Experimental Center, NLR, DLR, Softavia, Stasys, NATS, Swedish CAA, ENAV, Airtel-ATN, Frequentis, Saab Transpondertech, and Easyjet. ENAV, Italy's national air traffic control agency, provided essential support during the trials.
About BAE SYSTEMS:
BAE Systems is a systems company, innovating for a safer world. BAE Systems employs nearly 100,000 people, including Joint Ventures, and has annual sales of around 12 billion. The company offers a global capability in air, sea, land, and space with a world-class prime contracting ability supported by a range of key skills. BAE Systems designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, guided weapon systems, and a range of other defence products. BAE Systems is dedicated to making the intelligent connections needed to deliver innovative solutions.
BAE Systems North America is a high-technology U.S. company employing more than 25,000 people who live and work in some 30 states, the District of Columbia, and the United Kingdom. The company is dedicated to solving its customers' needs with highly innovative and leading edge solutions across the defence electronics, systems, information technology, and services arenas.
BAE Systems Avionic Systems is a unit of the company's U.S.-based Platform Solutions Sector. The Platform Solutions Sector is a leading global supplier of integrated electronic control products, subsystems, and man-machine interface systems for air, space, sea, and ground vehicles. The business develops and produces electronic vehicle management systems, electronic engine controls, cockpit and helmet displays, and inertial systems for a variety of platforms including fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, missiles, ground vehicles, ships, and space launch vehicles. It also produces HybriDrive propulsion systems for intra-city transit buses and other medium and large vehicles. Headquartered in Johnson City, New York, it employs approximately 6,400 people at 12 facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom.
