Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and ITT Exelishave entered into a licensing agreement for Exelis to provide its real-time integrated Next Generation flight-tracking data for ERAU’s academic research and analysis.
“The agreement with Exelis permits Embry-Riddle’s faculty, staff and students to evaluate, analyze and research air traffic control-quality surveillance in real-time,” said Steven Hampton, associate dean for research, College of Aviation, at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach, Fla., campus. “This level of unique access to Exelis NextGen surveillance information means that Embry-Riddle researchers can investigate a number of areas, including safety and efficiency, among other applications. We are pleased to expand our relationship with Exelis and assist in developing NextGen-powered solutions.”
According to university officials, Embry-Riddle’s potential uses of the surveillance data may include the following:
- The university’s researchers could analyze the information to enhance electronic flight management systems, giving pilots better situational awareness and conflict detection/resolution.
- Students could train more effectively to operate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) by flying missions in live traffic.
- Long-term studies of actual traffic patterns and procedures could improve the understanding of the effects of weather on the national airspace system (NAS) and how to integrate UAS and commercial spaceflight operations into the NAS.
Since October 2011, ERAU has been using the Exelis Symphony OpsVueä application that provides the flight operations center with an accurate real-time view of airway and airport activity, allowing for safer, more efficient operations. The system incorporates the most comprehensive aircraft surveillance data available, including data from the FAA’s NextGen surveillance system, which Exelis installed and will operate and maintain.
For more information: Exelisinc.com, EmbryRiddle.edu
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