Expertise And Tools Deployed In Field Of UAV Integration, Other
Areas
In conjunction with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the
FAA established the Test Bed for the development, demonstration and
evaluation of emerging NextGen concepts and technologies in a
collaborative environment at the Florida NextGen Test Bed (FTB) in
Daytona Beach, FL. Since 2006, Saab Sensis has been a member of the
Test Bed’s Integrated Airport Initiative (IAI), a consortium
of government, industry and academic leaders working together to
advance a number of NextGen initiatives, including trajectory-based
operations, collaborative air traffic management and the
integration of UAS with civil aviation.
Saab Sensis says it is helping to advance several NextGen
concepts and technologies through its program leadership and
deployment of tools. Key projects, including Unmanned Air
Systems (UAS) in the National Airspace System (NAS) demonstrations,
are being led by Saab Sensis air traffic management subject matter
experts as the FAA tests and demonstrates NextGen concepts and
technologies for possible deployment in the NAS. In addition, tools
already in place in the NAS and at major airports, including
Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X (ASDE-X) technology
and the Aerobahn airport surface management system, are being used
to support ongoing FTB projects.
At the Test Bed, the company is providing program management,
engineering, and thought leadership to the UAS in the NAS
demonstrations and Flight Data Object (FDO) program. For UAS in the
NAS, Saab Sensis coordinated the live demonstration of potential
future UAS sense-and-avoid and communication technologies and
procedures. It is also helping define the information and systems
to include in the FDO: a new concept to improve flight planning by
sharing flight information among all stakeholders (FAA, airlines
and airport) as the flight moves through the NAS.
ASDE-X Screen Capture File Image
Saab Sensis tools available at the Test Bed include an ASDE-X
controller working position (a specialized display and input
devices used by FAA air traffic controllers at 35 major U.S.
airports) adapted for System Wide Information Management (SWIM)
data sharing and record and playback software for reviewing airport
surface movements. Saab Sensis’ Aerobahn airport surface
management system, currently in use at nine U.S. airports to
support collaborative decision making, has also been adapted for
SWIM data sharing between airport stakeholders and is available for
recording and playback of surface operations.
“The Test Bed is facilitating the integration of
technologies currently in use, such as ASDE-X and Aerobahn, with
emerging NextGen concepts, the Flight Data Object and SWIM, in a
manner that can accelerate their deployment in the NAS,” said
Ken Kaminski, vice president and general manager of Saab
Sensis.
Bolen Gives Congress a Rare Thumbs-Up
See All