More than 10,000 aircraft are in flight across the world at any given moment – all managed by ANSPs using a suite of communications, navigation and surveillance systems coupled with air traffic management solutions.
ANSPs need a modern, flexible communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) infrastructure to keep our skies safe, secure and efficient – all while delivering consistently high levels of service to airlines, airports and passengers.
L3Harris’ collaborative approach shows a promising path forward as a managed services provider. Supporting global ANSPs, we combine two decades of global technical expertise with a locally tailored approach to maintain and upgrade a range of ATM equipment, infrastructure, processes and technology. By delivering repeatable, scalable and reliable ATM solutions and services, we enable our ANSP customers to focus on their core mission: managing air traffic safely, securely and efficiently.
L3Harris’ partnership with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides a prime illustration of the benefits of a managed services approach. Since 2002 we have provided essential voice, data and video capability for air traffic control operations and supported the FAA’s mission to operate the safest and most efficient airspace in the world.
The partnership has enabled the FAA to focus on the core safety, efficiency, and modernisation needs of its operations, while L3Harris provides the day-to-day delivery, operation and sustainment of the network services and technology. It all adds up to a stable and secure telecommunications network that safely supports the flying public in the world’s largest aviation network.
Realising benefits with Data Link
Since 2012, L3Harris and the FAA have worked together to implement Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) under the FAA’s Data Comm programme. L3Harris provides air-ground data link communications using VDL Mode 2 to 65 airports and 20 en route air traffic control centres across the continental USA. Under this arrangement L3Harris provides data link as a managed service, delivering high availability services with stringent quality of service parameters such as capacity, data integrity, and latency under a service level agreement structure. Additionally, L3Harris provides engineering services to support the FAA with systems engineering, data analysis, system test, avionics validation, and operator outreach services.
The Data Comm programme delivers operational benefits to aircraft operators in both the airport surface and en route airspace. Users benefit from reduced gate delays and taxi times at major airports and more efficient re-routes in the en route airspace.
Bringing managed services to the busiest markets
As global skies grow busier, L3Harris’ managed services model is finding success beyond US borders. Since 2018, L3Harris has partnered with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to provide the Futuristic Telecommunications Infrastructure (FTI) India. This system involves upgrading approximately 200 air traffic sites across the country to provide critical communication services.
The country’s legacy infrastructure requires continued modernisation to meet the demands required for projected growth in air traffic. With this increasing demand, there is a clear need for a modernised, expandable, safety-critical infrastructure, that is tightly integrated with AAI’s voice, surveillance, weather, and communication systems. As the managed services provider, L3Harris maintains a cohesive suite of systems including voice communications, network centers, surveillance tools, security operations and more.
Servicing operations directly requires constant contact with the operational customer to maintain the integrity of the existing infrastructure and to remain aligned with ANSP growth plans and airspace trends. The latter activity is facilitated by an initial architecture and design that scales and adapts to new demands, while maintaining the resilience, safety, and security of the operation. The combination of sound initial design and responsive operations management fosters a collaborative environment based on trust that is imperative in this safety-critical managed services domain.
A local approach speeds up success
Even though the benefits of a safety-critical managed service model for air traffic are both known and measurable, the challenge of implementing it successfully is often overlooked. To guarantee managed services success, L3Harris implements a local strategy – no matter the size or scope of the project.
“In every market, L3Harris works closely with the country’s ANSP and best-of-breed partners from the local private sector who have significant local market history and capabilities,” explains Jim Eck, vice president of Strategy and Business Development, L3Harris’ Mission Networks Sector. “The combination of our decades of knowledge of the global air navigation service arena with that of our in-country partner’s awareness of local priorities emables a managed service that’s specifically tailored to the national safety and security needs of each customer.”
“In every market, L3Harris works closely with the country’s ANSP and best-of-breed partners from the local private sector”
Eck and the L3Harris team are providing Airservices Australia with planning and design services to helping define and develop national network capabilities that can support their growing operations and modernization efforts. In collaboration with a strong team of local partners, the consortium is working together to create a system with the tools to help modernize the Australian airspace including Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADSB) surveillance services, voice-over-IP VHF radio communications, an optimized network with the tools to support air traffic control and more.
Eck says, “We’re not just a technology company, we combine our system wide ATM technical knowledge with a business acumen that allows us to provide a managed service offered in a business model that aligns with customer funding strategies assuring their best return on investment by addressing their most pressing needs.”
Moving beyond modernisation
L3Harris’ managed services are accelerating the transition from legacy networks to modern technologies through investment in network enhancements. The impact of air safety-critical managed services goes beyond fulfilling today’s needs. Safety-critical managed services from L3Harris empower air traffic management professionals to transform their organisations for the future.
With greater confidence in their technology capabilities, leaders of today’s airspace can look at innovative ways to improve the safety and security of our skies in the future.
While managing today’s global airspace continues to bring new challenges, L3Harris’ local approach demonstrated in countries like India and Australia illustrate what a stronger and more efficient airspace can look like.
No matter the scale or location, today’s airspace management professionals can succeed at their shared mission of making air travel safe and efficient – powered by innovation and driven by collaboration.