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.