CNS Evolution Plan 2024

Laying the groundwork for a comprehensive CNS strategy
CNS Evolution Plan 2024 - cover

This document, a deliverable of the CNS Programme Manager (CNS PM), aims to accelerate the evolution of Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) equipment across Europe.

Established at the recommendation of the CNS Advisory Group, the CNS PM addresses challenges impacting the harmonised and synchronised deployment of CNS facilities and equipment, aiming to resolve these issues through coordinated efforts and strategic planning.

EUROCONTROL, as Network Manager (NM), took on the CNS PM role in 2024 under Regulation (EU) 2019/123 (NF IR) to manage the implementation of the European CNS Evolution Plan, in full partnership with all relevant stakeholders.

This first version of the CNS Evolution Plan, Edition 2024, is a key milestone for CNS PM, and it establishes the methodology and foundation for future updates, ensuring CNS systems evolve efficiently to meet European and global airspace management objectives.

The Plan is complemented by an initial definition of the EU civil CNS Minimum Operational Network (MON), based on previously approved concept and design criteria.

The full edition of CNS Evolution Plan (2026) will be designed to be responsive to the evolving needs of the aviation industry, addressing key challenges.

Context

CNS infrastructure is a technical enabler for operational benefits in ATM. Its evolution, including new systems and optimisation of legacy systems, is essential for achieving ATM modernisation goals. The current infrastructure is robust but occasional outages can degrade services. The CNS Evolution Plan aligns with the ATM Master Plan’s vision for an efficient and environmentally friendly European sky by 2045, enhancing the roadmap to meet dynamic needs and facilitating coordinated CNS deployment across Europe.

The CNS Evolution Plan addresses the operational needs of ATM in Europe and globally, ensuring modernisation aligns with evolving airspace demands. CNS evolution is crucial for environmental sustainability, operational efficiency, and seamless coordination across air traffic management.
The Plan supports a modern, interoperable, and efficient digital European sky, driven by the vision set in the European ATM Master Plan. It aims to optimise CNS infrastructure without compromising safety, capacity, or security.

Looking at the Strategic Deployment Objectives (SDOs) of the European ATM Master Plan, the CNS Evolution Plan builds on SDO 7, which aims to improve air-ground datalink performance and reduce fragmentation, and SDO 9, which focuses on optimising, modernising, and increasing the resilience of CNS infrastructure. It provides the technical and operational details necessary to implement these high-level strategies, detailing specifications, timelines, and frameworks for CNS technologies.

The evolution and operation of CNS infrastructure should also support aviation decarbonisation in line with the EU Green Deal and facilitate the integration of new entrants and technologies. Selected solutions are included in the Plan which should enhance operational improvements in all scenarios.

Files

CNS Evolution Plan 2024