CAAS inks collaboration agreements to advance air traffic management research and development in Singapore

A key milestone in the plans to build Singapore as a Centre of Excellence for Air Traffic Management (ATM) was achieved this week as the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) sealed four foundational collaboration agreements with leading American and European organisations. The four organisations – the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), SESAR Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU), The MITRE Corporation (MITRE) and Airbus Prosky – are drivers or significant participants in major ATM modernisation programmes, such as the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen)1 in the United States (US) and the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR)2 in Europe. The four agreements were signed over two days – 19 and 20 November 2012 – at the sidelines of the 12th International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Air Navigation Conference held in Montreal, Canada.

The partnership agreements will set in motion a wide range of collaborative activities, including research & development (R&D), test-bedding and validation of ATM concepts, technologies and solutions for the continued safety and efficiency of the growing air traffic in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region. These include ways and means to maximise airspace capacity, optimise aircraft operations and enhance air navigation services operational and human performance.

Mr Yap Ong Heng, Director-General, CAAS, said “CAAS is pleased to sign agreements with the four leading organisations to advance ATM research and development in Singapore under our Centre of Excellence for ATM initiative. With their extensive experience and expertise in ATM modernisation, these organisations will bring significant value to the development of ATM solutions for Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region.” Mr Yap added that, “Collaborating with partners from other regions will also contribute to ATM harmonisation and interoperability across regions in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Aviation System Block Upgrade (ASBU) framework.”

The four agreements concluded are as follows:

Statement of Intent with FAA

FAA is managing the overall implementation of the NextGen programme. Under this Statement of Intent, areas of potential FAA-CAAS ATM cooperation include R&D activities to advance ATM modernisation, sharing of information, knowledge and expertise to improve operational performance in the provision of air navigation services; sharing and adaptation of best practices, and proof of concept to demonstrate and validate new ATM concepts.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MITRE

MITRE provides technical expertise and support to various international civil aviation authorities, airport operators, airlines, and other aviation organisations in the areas of ATM systems engineering, aviation operations, airspace design and systems automation and integration. Under this MOU, CAAS and MITRE will explore cooperation in ATM R&D initiatives and projects with an emphasis on improving safety, security, efficiency, capacity and environmental aspects of Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region’s aviation operations and infrastructure; sharing of knowledge and technology in the areas of ATM, safety and regulation issues; and support and the availing of resources required to establish the required capabilities and infrastructure that support ATM R&D activities in Singapore.

Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with the SESAR JU

SESAR JU is leading the Single European Sky ATM R&D efforts. Under this MOC, areas of cooperation include the sharing of information, knowledge and expertise; cooperation in activities, notably under ICAO; proof of concept to demonstrate and validate initiatives undertaken collaboratively; and collaboration in development activities to realise their respective ATM modernisation programmes and in research activities to develop ATM concepts, solutions and technologies for the next generation of ATM systems. This MOC gives Singapore valuable opportunities to partner with more than 125 members and associate partners who are all established ATM entities in the SESAR JU consortium. The MOC follows a Letter of Intent that was signed between CAAS and SESAR JU on 13 February 2012.

Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with Airbus ProSky

Airbus ProSky is a subsidiary of aircraft manufacturer Airbus (which is one of the 15 members of the SESAR JU), dedicated to improving the performance of global ATM. The areas of cooperation under this MOC include R&D, in particular coordination of initiatives and projects and their execution; participation in joint projects of common interest, including proof of concepts demonstrating and validating new operational procedures and systems; cooperation in activities to explore, develop and evaluate new ATM concepts and systems for enhancement of ATM efficiency; and sharing of technical knowledge in terms of ATM, safety and regulation issues through workshops and exchanges.

References

1. NextGen is a US initiative to transform its National Airspace System from a ground-based system of air traffic control to a satellite-based system of air traffic management, to meet future demand in air traffic and to avoid a gridlock in the sky and at US airports. NextGen aims to allow more aircraft to safely fly closer together on more direct routes, reducing delays and providing unprecedented benefits for the environment and the economy through reductions in carbon emissions, fuel consumption and noise.
2. SESAR is a Europe-wide air traffic control infrastructure modernisation programme to develop a new generation air traffic management system capable of ensuring the safety and fluidity of air transport worldwide over the next 30 years.

Encl:

•Fact Sheet on Singapore as Centre of Excellence for Air Traffic Management

•Fact Sheet on ICAO’s 12th Air Navigation Conference