ESA and Inmarsat modernise air traffic control

Flight trials have been undertaken by ESA for its Iris Precursor program, designed to assist Europe in modernising air traffic control.

ESA and Inmarsat have developed a partnership to deliver secure digital data links via satellite, for communication between cockpit crews in European airspace.

An aircraft from the Netherlands Aerospace Centre carried a prototype Iris terminal connected to Inmarsat’s next-generation SwiftBroadband-Safety satellite service as it took off from Amsterdam.

During four flights to different destinations in Europe, the connection between the aircraft and ground networks was tested extensively and air traffic control messages were exchanged. The connection was maintained even when the aircraft switched satellite beams.

These flight trials complement a separate test flight by Airbus with Inmarsat and other partners in March this year, providing initial 4D flight path control and data link communication exchanges between the pilot and air traffic control.

It is anticipated that by 2019, Iris Precursor will provide air-ground communications for initial 4D flight path control. This will pinpoint an aircraft in terms of latitude, longitude, altitude and time.

“As air traffic volume continues to increase, the digitisation of the cockpit is one of the ways to alleviate current congestion on traditional radio frequencies and optimise European airspace,” Inmarsat Vice President of Aviation Safety and Operational Services Captain Mary McMillan said.

“Using the power and security of satellite connectivity through Iris clearly changes the game in comparison to the ground technology in use today.”

At the end of 2017, Inmarsat plans a second phase of flight trials to validate the Iris technology.

The next step is to use Iris on commercial flights in a real air traffic management environment.

“ESA’s Iris program is forging ahead as part of Europe’s long-term goal to modernise air traffic control. A stepped approach and good collaboration between public and private partners is bringing excellent results,” ESA Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications Magali Vaissiere said.

Iris is part of ESA’s collaboration with the Single European Sky effort of the European Commission, Eurocontrol, airport operators, air navigation providers and aerospace companies in a push to boost efficiency, capacity and performance of air traffic management worldwide.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Potowizard