Exelis to provide airfield monitoring solutions to Los Angeles International Airport

Exelis, a global leader in providing critical network solutions, has been selected to provide its airfield monitoring solutions to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Calif., for enhanced airport safety and efficiency.

The Exelis suite of vehicle tracking and surveillance solutions is expected to bring an additional level of safety during regular and irregular operations, such as construction and weather events, and in critical situations, such as aircraft emergencies. The Exelis solutions provide a common airfield operating picture for air traffic controllers and key airfield operations staff for increased situational awareness and collaborative decision-making.

“LAX is the fifth busiest airport in the world, and second busiest in the United States,” said Jeff Mort, airfield manager, LAX Airport Operations. “LAX requires a system that can enhance airfield safety, collaboration, and management of irregular operations, especially during upcoming runway construction projects.”

“Exelis will provide LAX with our airfield tracking and surveillance solutions including Vehicle Movement Area Transponders (VMAT), Symphony® MobileVue™ and NextVue®  solutions,” said Ted Carniol, general manager of commercial aviation solutions at Exelis. “Both air traffic controllers and ground vehicle operators on the airfield can see a real-time depiction of their vehicle location in relation to aircraft and other vehicles operating around and on the LAX surface.”

VMAT is a device that permits ground vehicles operating on the airport surface to broadcast their position and a uniquely identifiable call sign. FAA air traffic controllers, airport personnel and appropriately equipped aircraft can view and track the vehicles operating near the airport and on the airport surface.  Seventy-five VMAT devices will be deployed on LAX operations, maintenance and aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles.

Symphony MobileVue is a tablet and smart phone based real-time situational awareness application that displays aircraft and vehicles on the airport surface as well as aircraft in the terminal area. 

NextVue provides visualization of all flights in the national airspace system, along with operational monitoring, taxi delay alerts, diversion management and management of irregular operations. Combined with trusted airline prediction models and collaborative decision-making functionalities, users can predict surface delays and proactively manage surface congestion.

For more information about the Exelis Symphony suite of secure, nationwide airport and airline surveillance solutions, visit www.exelisinc.com/symphony.