More recently, NAV CANADA reached a significant milestone and signed an agreement with Kongsberg Geospatial for the provision of DAATS technology across the ANSP’s programme. Kongsberg Geospatial is an industry leader in the research and development of new technologies for Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) navigation systems for remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) platforms and operator visualisation for remote towers for air traffic services.
Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace, who developed the technology, has successfully deployed Avinor’s NINOX programme, the world's largest remote tower facility in Bodo (Norway), implementing 15 airports in one control centre. In the harsh conditions of Norway, this proven technology is in daily use.
The partnership allows NAV CANADA to develop a digital facility at the Kingston Airport to refine and validate its technology and operating procedures, as well as a test facility in Ottawa as part of early phases of the programme. This work will be foundational to inform future implementations of digital facilities to support other airports across the country.
All in all, Canada’s ANSP is confident that the DAATS programme will provide the groundwork for enhanced service and safety as well as the ability to integrate new capabilities that support more efficient and resilient operations in Canada. NAV CANADA is proud of its success in advancing this major project and is expecting that by the end of this project, servi- ces will be delivered from modern facilities designed for flexibility, sustainability, ease of maintenance, improved contingency management and a reduced environmental footprint. It will also provide a platform to innovate. Future hubs will facilitate common processes and procedures and enable greater rostering flexibility for employee and harmonised training programmes. They will also bring positive impacts to the environment. Safety, as always, will remain NAV CANADA’s top priority as it moves forward in the implementation of the DAATS project in Kingston and, ultimately, across Canada.