Contributor - UK

David Donald

Saab has launched the latest addition to its growing portfolio of remote/digital tower air traffic control systems. The Integrated Digital Tower Solution (i-DTS) is aimed at large airports, initially as a “mirror” contingency tower to ensure they can maintain operations in the face of adverse events, but ultimately to develop into a system that could replace the traditional ATC tower.
In 2015 Saab began operations with its first 360-degree camera-based remote tower (r-TWR) at Sundsvall airport in northern Sweden. Since then the company has become an acknowledged pioneer in the sector, with an increasing number of its systems in operation at locations such as London City and the NATO air base at Geilenkirchen. Such systems, however, operate primarily at smaller regional or military airfields, usually with single-runway operations.
In the meantime, the capabilities on offer have grown, and now include the ability to integrate an r-TWR into a traditional ATC tower system. That hybrid approach is employed at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, where an r-TWR controls the Polderbaan runway, located some way from the main airport complex. Recently Saab has added a field-deployable r-TWR solution for bare-base operations.
Along with its tower solutions, Saab has been developing integrated automated air traffic control systems (i-ATS) that cover a wide range of ATC functions, with systems installed at Istanbul’s new Havalimani airport and Singapore-Changi. The company won a contract in 2022 to install its i-ATS at Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum (DWC) Airports
Now Saab is bringing together its r-TWR and i-ATS expertise to offer the i-DTS as a system for controlling large airports, providing greater resilience to weather events and system component failures, as well as threats such as terrorism. The i-DTS also provides the ability to train controllers in an airport-wide setting without affecting real-world ATC functions.
The key to large airport control centers on the recognition that the ATC team comprises many members, each with specific areas of control, such as an individual runway or ramp. The i-DTS employs the same airport-wide panorama camera view presented on a large wrap-around screen array, as used by the r-TWR system. However, each controller works at a console with a role-based display of their particular area of interest, along with the regular 2D radar ground display.
While each controller has the tools available to perform their tasks at their consoles, they can also view the airport-wide picture on the screen wall in front of them. ATC supervisors also have the whole airport picture available, as well as the ability to view more detailed areas if required.
Controllers can see relevant imagery on their console, which then gets highlighted on the main screen wall. Similarly, events generated within the i-ATS, such as runway incursions detected by ground radar, immediately appear on the camera display. Air and ground “avoid” areas can be displayed graphically on the camera view, while the positions of drones and other potential threats can be visually highlighted.
Saab continues to work on new technologies to enhance air traffic safety and security, driven by the company’s own research and customer requirements. Some of that work focuses on the greater use of artificial intelligence to enhance data analysis and control guidance, as well as the integration of unmanned traffic management (UTM) in advance of the expected boom in advanced air mobility vehicles.

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

Saab Launches Large Airport Digital Tower Solution

The I-DTS combines Saab’s remote tower technology with its automated system expertise.

Saab has launched a digital tower solution that is applicable to large airports, where controllers are allocated individual roles within a team.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Contract with Avinor covers major tower upgrades at Oslo and 14 regional airports

Frequentis Will Modernize Norwegian Air Traffic Management

Curt Epstein

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

The new tower is twice the height of the previous one

KTEB's New ATC Tower Is Dedicated

The funds were disbursed to smaller airports across the country

FAA Issues New Round of Airport ATC Tower Grants

Kerry Lynch

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Third school to participate in the FAA’s Enhanced Air Traffic – Collegiate Training Initiative program

Embry-Riddle Joins FAA Controller Training Program

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Annual flight volumes in the ECAC states will pass 11 million in 2025

Eurocontrol Forecasts Stronger Flight Growth in Europe

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Dubai Airshow 2023

In this article

Saab Aerospace

More In ATC

Frequentis Will Modernize Norwegian Air Traffic Management

Contract with Avinor covers major tower upgrades at Oslo and 14 regional airports

KTEB's New ATC Tower Is Dedicated

The new tower is twice the height of the previous one

FAA Issues New Round of Airport ATC Tower Grants

The funds were disbursed to smaller airports across the country

Embry-Riddle Joins FAA Controller Training Program

Third school to participate in the FAA’s Enhanced Air Traffic – Collegiate Training Initiative program

Eurocontrol Forecasts Stronger Flight Growth in Europe

Annual flight volumes in the ECAC states will pass 11 million in 2025

Australia's ATC Agency Prepares to Integrate Autonomous eVTOL Aircraft

Airservices Australia wants to work through plans to launch remotely piloted operations

AINsight: Avoiding RNAV SIDs and STARs Gotchas

Climb and descend via clearances still tripping up pilots

Watchdog: FAA ATC Systems 'Urgently' Need Modernization

Three-quarters of FAA's ATC systems are either unsustainable or potentially unsustainable

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN