The main operating base of THE NATO-equipped Boeing e-3A Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft will trial digital tower air traffic control technology next year, and its equipment will be provided by Swedish company Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions.
Located 12 miles (20 kilometers) north of the German city of Aachen, geilenkirchen is home to NATO airborne early warning and control force E-3A aircraft. The multinational force is equipped with 14 reconnaissance aircraft based on this modification of Boeing 707 aircraft. Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions said the equipment installed in Geilenkirchen comes from "second-generation digital air traffic control tower" technology that will meet NATO's "strict requirements for availability and safety."
The equipment used by Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions at the operational site includes a pole-shaped device equipped with a total of 14 cameras and several radar devices capable of providing 360° coverage.
Currently, all of Linköping's airliner operations, as well as flight tests of Saab's products, are controlled by a digital tower in Sundsval, about 370 miles (595 kilometers) away. Earlier this year, airports in Sweden's southern region were on the operational list, including ornskoldsvik and sundsvall timra airports. Scandinavian Mountain Airport facilities in Salen will also be added to this list in early December. Meanwhile, Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions will open a second control center at Stockholm Arlanda Airport next year, initially capable of managing four portals. It is reported that the control center will eventually be able to cover the operation of up to 24 sites.
Saab owns a 59% stake in Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions, with the remainder held by swedish lfv air navigation service holding providers.