UK’s Royal Air Force has contracted Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions (SDATS) for the delivery of a digital tower system that would serve as an operational concept demonstrator at the air force’s Lossiemouth base.
The RAF will use the system to evaluate the potential to change the way military air traffic control (ATC) is conducted, both during normal operations and during time of increased threats.
The digital tower will be installed at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland for demonstration and evaluation during 2020 and 2021. This will enable the RAF to assess the latest technology and evaluate future requirements for ATC.
“The Royal Air Force is collaborating with Saab to develop RAF Lossiemouth’s digital tower demonstrator which will enable us to explore how we could modernize our air traffic services fit for a next generation air force. This is an exciting opportunity to develop technology that will enhance our personnel’s decision-making processes so that we continue to operate safely, securely and efficiently for decades to come,” says Chief of Staff – Capability, Air-Vice Marshal Simon Rochelle, RAF.
“We are proud to be trusted by the RAF to support their DTOC demonstrator at Lossiemouth. Our extensive experience in digital ATC and focus on security, combined with the RAF’s operational knowledge, provide an excellent opportunity for Saab to show how the RAF could benefit from use of our Digital Tower system. The demonstrator will enable the RAF to assess the advantages of digitalisation as well as our new sensor capabilities. Working with the RAF is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the military utility of our system”, says Per Ahl, CEO of Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions.
The digital air traffic control solution was introduced during 2015 in Sweden when Örnsköldsvik Airport became the first airport in the world with remote air traffic control. In the UK, Cranfield Airport is operating the system and London City will also operate the Saab solution starting later this year. In the Netherlands, SDATS is currently working with LVNL, to provide a national roll out for Dutch airports.
