Image: Thales
Thales is working with Zambia Airports Corporation to modernise ATC systems with the latest TopSky ATC solution at the ATC centres at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Lusaka and Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport, Livingstone.
Thanks to the Datalink CPDLC and ADS-C solutions, Zambia’s ATC centres and pilots will be able to communicate via data messages instead of conventional voice radio. This upgrade will enhance flight safety by mitigating the risk of degraded radio communications. VHF channels will still be available as the primary mode of communication in the Flight Information Region (FIR).
Real-time knowledge
Cyril Einaudi, vice president global turnkey segment, Thales, said: “To ensure safe navigation in their airspace, air traffic control officers (ATCOs) need to know the exact position of an aircraft before and during flight. Flight plans provide an initial overview of the pilot’s intentions, but complete situational awareness is only possible thanks to a network of connected sensors that provide ATCOs with real-time knowledge. All this data enables flights to be “deconflicted”, thereby increasing air safety.”
Thales TopSky – ATC is an air traffic control automation solution designed to control en route, approach and oceanic traffic, both in civil and military environments. TopSky – ATC provides air traffic controllers and technicians with innovative and intuitive access to flight information, accurate real-time tracking for faster and better decisions, efficient tools for enhanced detection and resolution of conflicts, integrated sequencing and optimisation capabilities and a robust, reliable, easy-to-maintain system.
“We would like to thank ZACL for their continued trust and are proud to be able to support them once again in improving air navigation safety by integrating two state-of-the-art functions into our TopSky – ATC system, which are perfectly suited to today’s needs. Together, Thales and ZACL are delivering the safer air travel of tomorrow,” said Einaudi.
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