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Airservices Australia Selects Sensis/NAV CANADA Team for National Tower Program Technology Project

Posted on: Tuesday, 17 March 2009, 04:30 CDT

Integration and Automation to Increase ATC Efficiency and Safety

EAST SYRACUSE, N.Y., March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Airservices Australia has selected the team of Sensis Corporation/NAV CANADA to design and deliver an integrated air traffic control (ATC) solution for its National Tower Program (NTP) Technology Project. The Sensis/NAV CANADA solution, the Integrated Tower Automation Suite (INTAS), is designed to provide controllers with the latest, fully integrated "glass tower" solution that combines flight data, operational data, surveillance and voice communications into a scalable air traffic management system.

The National Tower Program's goal is to modernize, and where necessary, refurbish or replace up to 26 ATC towers owned or operated by Airservices Australia. The Program's Technology Project addresses the modernization of the technology systems, installation of solutions and ongoing support of the tower technology. The Sensis/NAV CANADA team will initially install the INTAS solution at three airports, Melbourne, Adelaide and Rockhampton, and Airservices Australia's Melbourne Air Traffic Centre and Learning Academy.

"Airservices' tower modernization project provided an opportunity to ensure our controllers had the latest tools and technology to ensure we meet our obligations to provide safe, efficient air traffic operations well into the future," CEO Greg Russell said. "INTAS is a cost-effective solution we can apply across our national tower infrastructure and adapt to the many different environments and traffic conditions in which our controllers work."

The NTP Technology Project leverages Sensis' expertise as an Advanced - Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS) provider and integrator. Sensis will serve as the prime contractor responsible for the engineering authority, project management, installation and support organization. NAV CANADA will use its expertise in tower air traffic management systems to provide application software, system design, associated development and integration, testing, and training. INTAS incorporates a fully digital voice communication subsystem, supplied by SolaCom Technologies, directly into the flight information management system. By consolidating all of the key systems on one set of displays, real estate can be gained in an already confined tower environment.

INTAS features an integrated controller working position comprised of up to four touch screen monitors that provide:

• Flight Data Management using Extended Computer Display System (EXCDS) Electronic Flight Strips;
• Operations Data Manager employing Operational Information Display System (OIDS) to monitor and control airfield ground lighting, monitor navigational aids, and weather data;
• Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS);
• Voice Communication Control System for air-ground/ground-ground communications;
• Terminal and Surface surveillance displays; and
• A-SMGCS for surface surveillance at Melbourne.

The overall objective is to provide controllers with immediate access to flight data and voice communications and to monitor the airfield and surrounding airspace from a common set of displays. The INTAS architecture relies on adaptation as opposed to disruptive software changes to meet customization needs. The same INTAS architecture supports any tower position (local, ground, clearance or supervisor) and can be expanded or consolidated based on traffic demand or off-peak operations. INTAS streamlines and conforms to existing operations and will not require controllers to learn a new operational concept.

"INTAS provides controllers with an environment that reduces controller workload with integrated tools that easily adapt to the existing operational requirements and procedures. The advantage of INTAS is its ability to scale and adapt to any tower environment and be deployed at any airport regardless of size or traffic level," said Tony Lo Brutto, vice president and general manager of Sensis Air Traffic Systems. "In addition, INTAS standardizes equipment, interfaces and operations that will ultimately streamline training and the support infrastructure for lower overall lifecycle cost."

"The Sensis/NAV CANADA team is pleased with the opportunity to provide an integrated solution with operationally proven systems that can be adapted to the Airservices Australia National Tower Program requirements," said John Crichton, president and CEO of NAV CANADA. "INTAS will improve the quality and flow of flight data, surveillance and other information, enhancing safety and efficiency."

ABOUT SENSIS CORPORATION

Sensis Corporation provides sensors, information technology, and simulation and modeling to the world's air navigation service providers, civil aviation authorities, airports, airlines and militaries. Sensis Corporation solutions are deployed around the world. For more information regarding Sensis Corporation, visit www.sensis.com.

ABOUT NAV CANADA

NAV CANADA, the country's civil air navigation services provider, is a private sector, non-share capital corporation, providing air traffic control, flight information, weather briefings, aeronautical information services, airport advisory services and electronic aids to navigation from coast to coast. NAV CANADA provides integrated Air Traffic Management Technology Solutions to air navigation service providers, world-wide. For more information, visit www.navcanada.ca.

ABOUT AIRSERVICES AUSTRALIA

Airservices Australia is a Government owned corporation responsible for the safe and efficient management of air traffic across 11 per cent of the world's air space. Services include air traffic control, airspace management, aeronautical information, radar communications, radio navigation aids, aviation maintenance and engineering, environmental management and aviation rescue and firefighting. For more information regarding Airservices Australia, visit www.airservicesaustralia.com.

SOURCE Sensis Corporation

Source: PR Newswire

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