Serco and Kongsberg Team to Offer New Generation ATC Solution

Serco, one of the world’s leading commercial air navigation service providers (ANSP) and Norway-based technology company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) have signed a Strategic Collaboration agreement to address the emerging UK market for Air Traffic Control services.

Under the agreement, KONGSBERG will provide its world leading ‘Ninox’ Remote Tower (RT) and Remote Virtual Tower (RVT) technology, based upon the world’s most advanced military sensor technology.  This system has already been procured by Avinor ANS, a Norwegian state-owned Limited Company, following a competitive tender process and is being installed across 15 Norwegian airports by the end of 2021 with an option of an additional 21 airports.  

Serco will bring its experience and understanding of UK Government procurement, together with its international expertise in aviation services and the provision of international Air Navigation Services in the UK, US and Dubai.

The joint KONGSBERG-Serco solution will allow the simultaneous provision of air traffic services that can provide for either an onsite virtual solution for a single airport; a solution for multiple airports, where Air Traffic Services are performed from one remote location or the provision of a contingency back-up service.  As a result, the Serco and KONGSBERG team will offer very low maintenance costs and total cost of ownership.  The system has low bandwidth requirements, which enable long distance transmissions over multiple sites.  The high situational awareness combined with the integrated tower display system provides the ATC with access to all tower functions through a single, user-friendly workspace.  The system is designed to function in extreme environments with outstanding reliability and ruggedness.  These features, combined with the high network security based on open international Data Distributed Service (DDS) standard and a true service-oriented architecture (SOA) will allow for future enhancements and development.

Commenting on the agreement, Paul McCarter, Serco’s Managing Director, Defence, said: “There are over 190 airports and airfields in the UK and much of the supporting ATC infrastructure is outdated and due to be renewed in the next few years.  Our agreement with KONGSBERG presents a great opportunity to bring world class innovative technology to the UK and combines two companies with world leading expertise.”

Kjetil Myhra of Kongsberg, said: “Our Remote Tower technology has already been selected to equip 15 Norwegian airports and offers operators the opportunity to reduce costs and improve safety and reliability.  Working with Serco, who will bring their understanding of the UK market and air traffic control will provide an exciting opportunity for us.”

About the Kongsberg Remote Tower system                    

The Kongsberg Remote Towers solution:

• Consists of one spinning 360 degree camera, which maintains visual acuity of 20:20, similar to the human eye.
• Has Range-eye resolution of 0.28mrad/28cm at 1 km
• Provides a completely seamless field of view; horizontal 360° and vertical 60°, together with a unique deep vertical field of view
• Gives superior ‘kitting’ of the image across the bank of screens, with no jumping of double images
• Has consistent tonal image across the of bank of screens
• Maintains high visibility in bad weather or direct sun