Coalition Intends To Explore VHF Comms And Surveillance Service

Aireon announced it has filed its plans with spectrum license regulators for an enhanced constellation of satellites with VHF and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) payloads to enable robust and reliable communications and surveillance service from space for aircraft around the world, with particular focus on oceanic and remote environments where ground infrastructure is unable to consistently support efficient operations.

Aireon submitted the filing to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) through the Canadian regulator Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED). Aireon is the first and so far only company to have in place a safety-certified global system for space-based ADS-B service, and now intends to expand its capabilities to include VHF services.

To advance this vision, in 2023 Aireon spearheaded the formation of the Aireon Space-Based VHF Coalition to develop the concept of operations, technical specifications, and business case for space-based VHF. Coalition members include Iridium, NAV CANADA, NATS, and AirNav Ireland.

Aireon has also expanded its engagement with customers to others to promote the idea that robust and safety-certified space-based data is important and necessary for the aviation industry.

Dr. Michael Garcia, Aireon Chief Innovation Scientist explained, “Aireon is uniquely positioned to bring space-based VHF to the aviation marketplace. We know how to deploy space-based services for the aviation industry and put them in operational use because we’ve done it before with ADS-B. We have applied that same approach of innovation, safety, and operations focus to our study of space-based VHF. This filing is a significant first step in our continual path to advance aviation and bring new capabilities to our customers.”

Aireon also continues to collaborate with ICAO, RTCA, EUROCAE, EASA, ISED, ITU and other standards and regulatory bodies to develop the requirements, coordination, certification and operational aspects for such services.

FMI:  aireon.com/