Airbus ProSky and Steria Join the Shared Virtual Sky Project to Develop the First European Airspace Simulation Platform

After completing a collaborative R&D project, Steria and Airbus ProSky have signed a cooperation agreement with nine other partners (Aerospace Valley, Airbus, DSNA, ENAC, Thales, Oktal SAS, CGX AERO, Alticode, Intespace) to develop a new airspace simulation system, called "Shared Virtual Sky."

Under the terms of this agreement, Airbus ProSky (Airbus' Air Traffic Management [ATM] subsidiary), will be responsible for the promotion and marketing of Shared Virtual Sky (SVS) and associated commercial services, while Steria will be responsible for operating SVS as a software service.

SVS is the first European simulation platform that will be available to all aviation companies. By enabling the interconnection of their systems and in particular of their airborne and ground navigation systems, SVS will accelerate innovation and make it possible to test the new air navigation concepts that underpin the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research (SESAR) project to improve the safety and fluidity of air transport.

Innovative services that will modernise air transport

With air traffic steadily increasing, ATM must be improved to ensure safety, increase capacity, reduce costs and help preserve the environment. The SVS platform enables multiple participants to connect their simulators to a completely realistic, real-time environment. Test pilots and air traffic controllers can thus work together, each in their respective cockpit or control tower. This solution supports the European Commission's efforts to modernise ATM systems through SESAR, which seeks to develop a world-class integrated air traffic navigation system.

"SVS offers a unique possibility to run highly realistic simulations using the real pilots and controllers environment to test together new concepts of operations," says Eric Stefanello, CEO, Airbus ProSky. "We are proud of the expanding user community that makes our Virtual Sky expanding and enriching for the benefits of all."

Promoting "cooperation" in Europe's aviation industry, through innovation, technical expertise and an integrated approach to today's challenges.

The SVS solution has its origins in Gaia Virtual Sky, an Aerospace Valley project launched in 2007. With experience and expertise in air transport consultancy, systems integration and operations, Steria's consultants were charged with the task of providing the harmonised working methods and technology options that are essential to ensuring interoperability.

Steria plays a key role in the SVS technology, being largely responsible notably for its IT architecture through its software and interconnection resources. Steria also hosts the SVS portal. Services will be provided on a SaaS subscription basis. During the deployment phase SVS is to be made available on Steria's Infrastructure on Command, a cloud-based service.

"Shared Virtual Sky is an innovative response to the challenges facing the aviation industry. Ten industry leaders are currently conducting experiments as part of the SESAR project and five actors are currently negotiating to join the Shared Virtual Sky platform in 2013 to validate their new ideas. This technology can also be adapted to other industries that have similar challenges with respect to the interconnection and interoperability of operational systems. This integration of systems and people is a perfect example of 'cooperation,' which promotes industry growth by facilitating the exchange of knowledge and improving productivity," adds Patrick Loyer, Innovation Director, Steria France