Malta chooses a Leonardo patent for the integrated communication of its air traffic control systems

Leonardo recently signed a contract with Malta Air Traffic Services Ltd. (MATS), the Maltese air navigation services body, for the supply of an integrated ground-air-ground communications solution, based on the “Dual Language "Patented by Leonardo. The solution includes the supply, installation and commissioning of a VHF Data Link Mode 2 (VDL2) network infrastructure and the updating of the communication functions between the flight controller and the pilot (CPDLC - Controller Pilot Data Link Communication ) of the MATS air traffic management center, already provided by Leonardo. On the same network infrastructure, Leonardo's Data Link solution allows both air traffic control services and operational communications and is able to transmit communication between pilot and tower controller over a single network with optimal performance and greater ease of management . The solution also meets the mandatory requirements and the performance required by the main stakeholders and air traffic control managers (for example, bodies for air navigation services; ICAO - International Civil Aviation Organization; EASA - European Aviation Safety Agency; SESAR Deployment Manager) . Leonardo's system will therefore make it possible to improve the safety and efficiency of air traffic management through the activation of operational functions that will allow the exchange of digital text messages between controllers and pilots, integrating traditional voice communications. The Leonardo Data Link also represents a prerequisite for the integration of information into the air traffic management system  aircraft routes and additional onboard parameters, and for the improvement of airspace management capacity according to the new “free route” approaches, ie the possibility of planning direct flight routes, allowing the aircraft to trace more efficient routes than traditional ones. Leonardo's solution will also allow MATS to implement the current requirements on communications in air traffic control expressed by SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) and to be fully compliant with the new implementing regulations of the European Commission which establish the rules for the introduction of Data Link services for the single European sky. It will also avoid congestion of frequencies, enabling Malta to also adapt to the standards that SESAR intends to implement by 2022. Leonardo was previously chosen by MATS for the supply of systems and technologies for the construction of control centers of the air traffic and primary and secondary radar for air traffic control.

Malta chooses a Leonardo patent for the integrated communication of its air traffic control systems