Sweden ANSP deploys Saab Remote Tower system, passes Site Acceptance Testing
EAST SYRACUSE, N.Y., 27 Feb. 2013. The Saab Remote Tower (r-TWR) system deployed by Sweden’s Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) LFV has passed Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) and expected to gain full operational certification by the Swedish Transportation Authority later this year.
Site Acceptance Test protocols provide evidence that a piece of equipment, system, or integrated process that has been delivered to the end user has been adequately tested at the end user’s facility and performed to the end user’s expectations after installation.
“Achieving SAT is a major step forward toward the broader acceptance of this new approach to air traffic control and was accomplished due to close collaboration between Saab and LFV,” says Ken Kaminski, senior vice president of Saab Sensis. “Remote towers hold great potential for safe, cost-effective delivery of air traffic services to new locations and as a replacement for outdated facilities. It also opens the opportunity to merge multiple tower operations into one Center for more efficient services.”
Saab r-TWR technology at Sundsvall and Örnsköldsvik Airports provides the Remote Tower Center (RTC) in Sundsvall with high-resolution video of the airports. Moreover, the Saab r-TWR system uses video, audio, and other sensors to provide a continual, comprehensive view of an airport. The video and other sensor information is fed to an RTC, where the video is streamed live to a controller on multiple LCD displays. Controllers at the RTC have access to and control over all sensors as well as integrated flight data, airfield equipment, electronic flight strips, and other air traffic control (ATC) tools.
“This is a brand new, cutting-edge technology for the industry. Remote Tower Services allows us to safely deliver services while reducing costs for our customers,” says Pia Johansson, marketing manager for LFV Tower and Approach Control.
Saab is also deploying r-TWR systems for Airservices Australia and Avinor.
Air traffic control image courtesy Shutterstock.
Courtney E. Howard | Chief Editor, Intelligent Aerospace
Courtney enjoys writing about all things high-tech in PennWell’s burgeoning Aerospace and Defense Group, which encompasses Intelligent Aerospace and Military & Aerospace Electronics. She’s also a self-proclaimed social-media maven, mil-aero nerd, and avid avionics and space geek. Connect with Courtney at [email protected], @coho on Twitter, on LinkedIn, and on Google+.
