Air Traffic Management Systems | 26 Mar 2022
Why in News
Recently, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), under its R&D initiative, has signed an agreement with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to jointly develop indigenous Air Traffic Management System.
- Under this Agreement, BEL and AAI will jointly develop Civil Air Traffic Management System (ATMS) with Advanced-Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (ASMGCS), a complex ground surveillance system that manages air traffic at airports and in Indian Civil Airspace for safe operation of flights from take-off to landing.
What is the Air Traffic Management System?
- Air traffic management and control primarily involves the control of traffic in and around airports, airport terminals and airspace.
- Air traffic controllers that work from Air Traffic Control (ATC) towers are responsible for ensuring a safe distance between all aircraft, both in the air and on the ground, to prevent accidents.
- Air traffic controllers prevent collisions and maintain an orderly flow of air traffic. The commonly used technologies and systems in air traffic management and control include:
- Surface movement and surveillance radars
- Holographic radar
- Navigation and surveillance systems
- Voice communication control systems
- Ultra-high frequency (UHF) and very high frequency (VHF) communication systems
- Flight data information display equipment
- Radio modems and transceivers
- Collision avoidance systems
- Noise monitoring systems
- Meteorological sensors and displays
- Airfield lighting control and monitoring
- Training management software
What are the Objectives and Significance of the Agreement?
- It will help in leveraging the complementary strengths and capabilities of BEL and AAI and enabling both to address airport modernization opportunities.
- It will ensure safety, maintain separation between multiple aircraft, and efficient management of operations at the airport and Indian airspace.
- It aims to upgrade its ANS (Air Navigation Services) Infrastructure in systematic, efficient and cost-effective manner and in compliance with the ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ missions of the Government of India.
- It will reduce AAI’s foreign dependency for procurement of ANS infrastructure.