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Sectors : ATM

Pedigree

Altran Praxis has worked in Air Traffic Management (ATM) since its inception, developing safety-related operational software intensive systems and providing a broad range of safety and systems engineering services. Praxis ATM projects range from the development of a Support Information System for the London Area Terminal Control Centre in the late 1980s (which is still operational), to the ground breaking iFACTS system.

Focus

The Praxis focus in ATM is to:
  • Partner with Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) to apply Praxis expertise in low-defect, safety-critical software development to operational ATM systems.
  • Support clients in meeting local and international safety regulatory requirements.
  • Lead the introduction of new research and innovation in Human Machine Interface (HMI) technology to the benefit of ATM system usability and safety.

Example ATM projects

  • Development of software for new predictive tools for UK National Air Traffic Services (NATS).
  • Maintenance and support of an operational system for a major ANSP.
  • Safety and human factors assessment of Norwegian airport tower operations for Avinor.
  • ATM safety case for UK Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF).
  • Safety case for Skyguide meteorological briefing equipment.
  • Research and framework contracts for EUROCONTROL.
  • Training in ATC safety management for ANSP professionals.

Why Altran Praxis for ATM?

  • Proven ability to deliver large-scale, complex software in the ATM market.
  • A cost-effective approach to software engineering, enhanced by the use of Praxis’ offshore Indian office as part of a low cost solution.
  • Capability for ATM application management and support.
  • Expertise in safety in ATM, and a cross-industry track record of innovative, cost-effective approaches to demonstrating the safety of complex systems.
  • Experience of HMI innovation.
  • Access to a broad range of ATM and airport services in the wider Altran Group.

Case reference

Developing iFACTS – interim Future Area Controls Tools Support

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Challenge

NATS, the UK’s leading air traffic services provider, has pioneered research and development into new predictive (look-ahead) tools for air traffic controllers. iFACTS provides tools for trajectory prediction, conflict detection and monitoring aids, and will replace traditional paper information strips with electronic data and new displays. iFACTS enables air traffic controllers to increase the amount of air traffic they can comfortably handle, providing significant capacity increases and enhancing safety.

Engagement and approach

NATS appointed Praxis to develop the new software for iFACTS, which needed to meet SW01, the stringent software safety regulation required by the Civil Aviation Authority. Praxis applied its Correctness by Construction method, deployed a multi-disciplinary, multi national team of over 100 engineers, and worked with NATS at all levels to ensure success.

Outcome

Initial versions of iFACTS have successfully been deployed to the live operational environment at Swanwick’s en-route centre and used for shadowing and operational trials at quiet times of the day. It is on track to become fully operational in 2011. iFACTS is an enabler for the EUROCONTROL FASTI initiative.

Market Factors

The challenge facing ATM is to increase capacity while maintaining or improving safety, reducing cost and reducing emissions.

In Europe, the Single European Sky aims to treble capacity by 2020, a key driver of which is the use of advanced technology such as ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast) and advanced FDPS (Flight Data Processing Systems).

Technology is increasingly being underpinned by complex software, much of which is safety-related and therefore subject to the demands of safety regulation.

Safety regulation is itself undergoing change in Europe, with the EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) taking a central role in defining safety regulation for ATM.

"This is one of the most exciting developments in the aviation industry in decades and we’re now very close indeed to introducing it. As well as giving us the tools to increase capacity at the rate our customers tell us they need, iFACTS also alerts Controllers early to flights which are not following their flight plan and detects medium term conflicts, which will also enhance our safety capability. All in all, these tools will provide our Controllers with some of the most advanced air traffic control systems in the world."
Paul Barron, NATS’ Chief Executive.