Selex ES introduces AFIS, a mobile air traffic control system for remote operations

At Farnborough International Air Show 2014, Finmeccanica - Selex ES will introduce the Aerodrome Flight Information System (AFIS), a mobile control tower for ground - air - ground ATC (Air Traffic Control) communications. AFIS is transportable on a C-130J aircraft and is rapidly deployable for remote operations.

AFIS is ideal for use in forward operational areas or in emergency situations where it is necessary to provide Armed Forces with timely aeronautical communications. It is particularly effective in managing the critical phases of a flight including take-off, approach and landing.
The mobile AFIS system is designed to be transported via C-130J aircraft and road vehicles. Housed on a mobile cart, the system uses mechanical arms to deploy into a fully operational air traffic communications tower.

AFIS consists of four radios for marine and aeronautical communications in the VHF and UHF spectrums, a TETRA radio system for land communications in the UHF band, a meteorological system and a GPS. The radio communications are handled through two operator workstations that connect via VoIP EUROCAE ED137B. The technical management of all systems on board of AFIS are handled by ONM100, Finmeccanica - Selex ES’s network management suite which also allows remote network management.

Rain, snow, ice, dust, sand, humidity and extreme temperatures have no effect on the performance of AFIS, which guarantees effective communications even in the harshest conditions. The system is able to operate at an altitude up to 3000 metres above sea level and in winds of up to 50 kilometers per hour, or up to 120 kilometers per hour if anchored to the ground.

The AFIS present at Farnborough in the Finmeccanica static area is owned by the Italian Air Force.