May 20 2013
Northrop Grumman Corporation announced that its Europe-based air traffic management systems subsidiary, in collaboration with NATS, the U.K. air traffic management services provider, has deployed an airspace communication system that will enhance air safety in the East Shetland Basin oil-producing area of the North Sea.
Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems was selected to supply an area coverage system for air traffic control radio communications in the East Shetland Basin. The system requirements were met using an IP network that interlinks Park Air T6 radio installations on three production facilities with the NATS Aberdeen control centre that will deliver air traffic control voice services to helicopter flights in the region.
"Working together with NATS, we have been able to overcome many challenges that were posed by implementing this new technology in a hostile environment," said Charles Houseago, managing director of Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems. "IP-based networks will rapidly become standardised for air traffic control communications and I'm proud that our company is at the forefront of realising the potential of this technology."
The system allows both voice and remote control data over an IP Wide Area Network that is implemented in accordance with the international ED-137 standard. This global standard for voice over internet protocol for air traffic management has been developed by the European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment Working Group 67, of which Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems has been an active member since the formation of the group.
Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems supplies communication systems for airspace operations worldwide.
Source: http://www.northropgrumman.com/