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SESAR and interoperability

As the world’s two most complex airspace blocks – Europe and the United States – develop new, modernised ATM systems, the question of their interoperability becomes paramount. Global interoperability is an essential goal when planning the development of ATM air/ground applications and systems and is consequently one of the key requirements of SESAR.

SESAR, Europe’s ATM modernisation programme takes place in the context of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Global ATM Operational Concept, which provides governments and industry with objectives for the design and implementation of ATM and supporting communication, navigation and surveillance systems. “Working together on a global scale early in the life-cycle of a new concept or technology is the only way to achieve effective and efficient coordination”, explains Peter Hotham, Chief for Technology and Innovation of the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU). “The SJU and its member organisations are already in close contact with ICAO and aviation authorities around the world, as well as standardisation bodies such as EUROCAE and RTCA, to inform them of the technology and procedures we are developing in the framework of SESAR. This is set to continue as SESAR development gathers pace.”

SWIM - The ATM Intranet

Early information sharing and coordination is one of the most important parameters for a safe flight. Air traffic information has to be available to aircraft, airports, air traffic controllers and air navigation service providers, airline operation centres, military operation centres, ground vehicles, flow management centres and weather service providers.

To date, the management of different types of air traffic information has evolved independently, based on sub-system and service specific requirements. As a result of this bottom-up approach, today's ATM (Air Traffic Management) information systems are insufficiently integrated, resulting in organisational and institutional barriers which prevent timely use of relevant information.