NASA Tests Air Traffic Surveillance Technology Using Its Pilatus PC-12 Aircraft
January 23, 2025
NASA is currently testing a new air traffic surveillance technology using its Pilatus PC-12 aircraft. The technology, called Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), is designed to improve the safety and efficiency of air traffic management. ADS-B allows aircraft to broadcast their position, altitude, and other data to ground stations and other aircraft. This information can be used to provide real-time updates to air traffic controllers and pilots, helping them to avoid collisions and improve the flow of air traffic.
NASA’s PC-12 aircraft is equipped with an ADS-B transponder that broadcasts the aircraft’s position, altitude, and other data every second. The data is transmitted on the 1090 MHz frequency, which is the same frequency used by commercial airliners. This allows NASA to test the ADS-B technology in a real-world environment with other aircraft.
NASA is also testing a new ADS-B receiver that is installed on the ground at the Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The receiver collects ADS-B data from aircraft flying in the area and displays it on a map. This allows air traffic controllers to see the location of all ADS-B-equipped aircraft in the area, even if they are not visible on radar.
The ADS-B technology is expected to improve the safety and efficiency of air traffic management by providing more accurate and timely information about the location of aircraft. This information can be used to prevent collisions, reduce delays, and improve the flow of air traffic.
NASA plans to continue testing the ADS-B technology on its PC-12 aircraft throughout 2025. The agency is also working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop standards for ADS-B equipage on all aircraft. The FAA has mandated that all aircraft flying in the United States be equipped with ADS-B by 2020.
Benefits of ADS-B
ADS-B provides a number of benefits over traditional radar surveillance, including:
- Improved accuracy: ADS-B data is more accurate than radar data because it comes directly from the aircraft. This is especially important in areas where radar coverage is limited, such as over water or in mountainous terrain.
- Increased timeliness: ADS-B data is updated every second, which is much more timely than radar data, which is typically updated every 12 seconds. This allows air traffic controllers to see the location of aircraft in real time, which can help them to avoid collisions and improve the flow of air traffic.
- Reduced costs: ADS-B is less expensive to implement than traditional radar surveillance. This is because ADS-B uses existing infrastructure, such as the 1090 MHz frequency, and does not require the construction of new radar towers.
Conclusion
ADS-B is a new air traffic surveillance technology that has the potential to improve the safety and efficiency of air traffic management. NASA is currently testing the technology on its Pilatus PC-12 aircraft and plans to continue testing throughout 2025. The FAA has mandated that all aircraft flying in the United States be equipped with ADS-B by 2020.
NASA Tests Air Traffic Surveillance Technology Using Its Pilatus PC-12 Aircraft
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