Indra modernises Airservices Australia Navigation Systems

Indra has been awarded two new contracts to supply radio navigation systems (DVOR and DME) to the air navigation services supplier Airservices Australia. The contracts are part of the final phase of the Navigation Extension Program (NAVEX) aimed at renovating the systems that position airways in Australian airspace.

The technology multinational has seen the largest share of NAVEX. With the latest contracts, the number of radio navigation systems rolled out by Indra now surpasses 200.

As part of the newly awarded projects, Indra will roll out a network of Doppler VHF Omni Range (DVOR) radio systems  throughout the country, spanning from Brisbane International Airport to remote locations in the Indian Ocean. These radio navigation systems will help aircrafts crossing Australian airspace to set their position precisely and remain on their plotted route.

Indra will also supply around thirty Distance Measuring Equipment units (DME). Many of these systems will be installed along with the  Doppler VHF Omni Range Radio (DVOR) systems.

In the first stage of the NAVEX programme, Indra already supplied around twenty Low Power DMEs. This equipment was installed in combination with Instrumental Landing Systems (ILS), many of them also developed by Indra. The use of both systems together guarantees maximum precision in aircraft runway approaches and landing.

Indra will include test systems at the Airservices National Technical Training Institute in Riverina TAFE, Wagga Wagga for their trainee technical staff. Airservices offers technical training as part of the Diploma of Engineering and Electronics and Communications.

These trainees will be employed within Facilities Management Services (FMS) division of Airservices Australia which maintains the communications, radar and navigation facilities.

Over 140 countries

The number of countries where Indra has rolled out its air traffic and navigation systems recently surpassed 140. The company has, in total, set up over 3,000 facilities in five continents and has over 90 years experience in the sector.

In order to expand internationally in this market, Indra has committed to continually strengthening and extending its portfolio of solutions. The company maintains a major lead in developing radar surveillance systems and automated air traffic management systems. In recent years, it has also become a key international supplier in Air Communication and Navigation Systems (CNS).

The company has different Centres of Excellence in Norway and Australia specialising in the development of this technology, as well as a subsidiary in Germany.

Indra pioneered the development and supply of the first distance measuring system (DME) in the world through its centre in Australia that it delivered to the Australian navigation services supplier in 1948, named DME-A (DME Australia). It also moved forward in developing the first double sideband solid state DVOR system.

In turn, in Norway holds recognised leadership with its Normac Instrumental Landing System (ILS), voice communication (Garex) and aircraft ground control (Nova). Lastly, in Germany it has specialised in developing communications systems. The company is responsible for the communications system currently used by the DFS across Germany.