Atos, HungaroControl and FREQUENTIS to support SESAR 2020

Nineteen members will participate in the industrial research, validation and demonstration activities of SESAR 2020, including the Frequentis SESAR partners consortium (consisting of Atos, HungaroControl and Frequentis). This consortium will enhance cross-industry innovation through integrating different stakeholders in the ATM value chain. Remote tower, virtualised centres and information management are key topics to be addressed.

The SESAR Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU) announced the nineteen members that will participate in the industrial research, validation and demonstration activities of SESAR 2020 earlier this year during the World ATM Congress in Madrid. The next wave of European ATM research and innovation will add more members and bring together various, global organisations.  This membership expansion reflects the growing confidence and commitment to SESAR’s approach to ATM modernisation and further deployment.

The SESAR 2020 programme will focus on areas in the ATM value chain where the greatest performance gains can be achieved: further developing enhanced air traffic services, optimising network services, and enabling the necessary infrastructure.

“Thanks to SESAR, we are developing and deploying cutting-edge operations and technologies for European and global aviation. We all know that a top-notch ATM system is vital for the achievement of the Single European Sky, and SESAR research and innovation projects are vital to reach that objective”, says Henrik Hololei, Director General, DG MOVE, and Chair of the SESAR JU Administrative Board, welcoming all existing and new members.

“Integrating different stakeholders in the ATM value chain enables us to add value to all phases of research and innovation. We bring our expertise from different perspectives: ATM system manufacturing industry and system integration, air navigation service provision, IT service provision as well as cyber security and software engineering”, says Michael Holzbauer, Director of European ATM Programs at Frequentis, proudly representing the consortium.

The main areas in which the consortium will support validation and verification are:

• Virtualised tower and centre working positions including safety aspects, networks, surveillance and interoperable and open standards for controller working positions
• Remote tower for multiple airports
• Automation, information management and big data analysis to support performance measurement and optimisation
• Voice and data communications including SWIM (System-Wide Information Management).

HungaroControl is the ANSP member of the consortium and as the main user of the development it can provide essential support to industry partners working on solutions. HungaroControl’s support for each project includes ATM expertise, real-life operating experience and the provision of simulation facilities.

“After serious preparatory efforts, we are very proud to be part of this programme, which is in line with our strategic ambitions. We are confident that in the long term, our participation will support our pioneering role in shaping the ATM industry in Europe”, says Tamás Zsolnay, Director of Corporate Development and External Relations at HungaroControl.

“Atos will create its ATM Competence Centre in Brussels within the scope of SESAR 2020 and brings its best practises of other markets with the same critical needs. As a key ATM player Atos has a dedicated team of experts in Belgium that work on innovations and developments in ATM”, tells Antoine Kerrinckx, Managing Director at Atos in Belgium.

“With the full strength of this consortium, we are in a position to support SESAR 2020 activities with innovative technology, seamless integration standards and cross-industry developments. Building on a long term partnership, we are now concentrating on complementary capabilities and solutions that contribute to a common vision”, Hannu Juurakko, Vice President ATM Civil at Frequentis, summarises the strength of the Frequentis SESAR partners consortium.