• The world’s first system to provide seamless air traffic control backup, transferring operations between the main centre in Ankara and an auxiliary facility in Istanbul
• Advanced functions are available in line with the European SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) project​

Finmeccanica, though its Security & Information Systems Division, has delivered a new Air Traffic Control (ATC) system for Turkey and brought it into fully operational service. The system, which was acquired by Turkey’s General Directorate of State Airports (DHMI), strengthens ATC capabilities across the entire national airspace. The ATC system’s introduction into service is a key milestone in Turkey’s SMART project (Systematic Modernisation of ATM Resources Turkey), aimed at enhancing the country’s ATC infrastructure and services.

Deployed in Ankara, the system supports air traffic management operations in 50 of Turkey’s airspace sectors (both upper and lower) located in Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Ercan, Dalaman and Bodrum. The system connects more than 20 remote control towers encompassing over 600 ATC-related workstations. Uniquely in the field of international ATC, Finmeccanica’s system provides testing, simulation and training missions as well as a seamless disaster-recovery capability. In the event of a disaster, air traffic operations safely and swiftly moves from Ankara to Istanbul with no loss of data or system performance. Flight information from the regions is securely transferred, along with communications between ATC operators and pilots, airlines and airports.

All facilities connected by the ATC system are able to monitor and share air traffic information including surveillance, flight plans, meteorological information, aeronautical and auxiliary data. Turkish radio and voice communications are accessible through digital VoIP (Voice over IP) technology. Connections are safeguarded by ground and satellite-based Wide Area Networks (WAN) which can be switched between automatically when necessary.

The ATC system provides advanced functionality in line with the latest EUROCONTROL and ICAO standards and the SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) concept of operations. The system as-delivered is also built with potential future upgrade in mind, providing a base for capacity improvements, performance enhancements, and upgrades to safety and operational efficiency. This design allows the system to meet Turkey’s needs as they respond to growing flight traffic beyond 2020.