Other ATM Projects – works

The objective is to modernise transport infrastructure on the Core and Comprehensive Networks of the TEN-T.

In accordance with the Article 9(2)(b)(ii) of the CEF Regulation, this priority will support projects that implement Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) ground and airborne infrastructure, routes, procedures and training that are related to the provisions of the EASA Basic Regulation (EU) 2018/1139.

1. Performance Based Navigation (PBN)

1. Projects in this domain must implement PBN routes and procedures, in accordance with the requirements of the PBN Regulation^[1], whose deadline for implementation is 6 June 2030. Projects/actions aiming to implement RNP approaches that were subject to the 2020 or 2024 regulatory deadlines are not eligible.
2. Projects must implement at least one of the following:

1. TMA airspace optimisation, which shall consist in implementing SIDS and STARS using required PBN specifications as an integral part of an airspace re-design project that contributes to increasing capacity and efficiency or to reducing emissions and noise.

The proposals must describe how they will implement SIDS and STARS using PBN specifications, not only as an additional overlay of existing procedures, but as an integral part of airspace re-design. The proposals should indicate the expected benefits in terms of capacity, safety, cost efficiency, noise abatement, and emissions and fuel reductions.

Airspace optimisation should enable decommissioning of ground navigation infrastructure to improve cost-efficiency without compromising safety and security. The deployment of ground navigation infrastructure and costs for decommissioning ground infrastructure are not eligible for funding.

1. Retrofitting or forward fitting aircraft with:
   1. 1. SBAS capable avionics able to make operational use LPV procedures;
      2. Avionics able to make operational use of RNP1/RNAV 1 SIDs and STARs.

2. Datalink infrastructure

Projects in this domain shall support the deployment of avionics upgrades to resolve identified interoperability issues in the datalink domain (e.g., avionics identified in the EASA Safety Information Bulletin). Projects may cover additional avionics updates that enable airspace users, who are already equipped with datalink avionics compliant with regulatory provisions on datalink within the EASA Basic Regulation framework^[2], to take full advantage of the operational datalink service without any restriction (as, for example, the limitations imposed by the log on list). The avionics upgrades should be included in the list of deployment recommendations/ implementation projects^[3] for operators established by the Datalink Support Group^[4].

Applicants must provide evidence that the avionics upgrades are fully interoperable with currently deployed datalink systems by all communication service providers and air navigation service providers.

Projects may include the implementation of avionics or ground systems upgrades to optimise/reduce the use VDL-2 link by AOC traffic by offloading non-time critical data to off-the-shell technologies.

3. Surveillance (ADS-B)

Projects in this domain must support the synchronised evolution of airborne and ground surveillance infrastructure aiming to enhance surveillance services by deploying and using ADS-B technology to improve performance, to reduce costs, to improve spectrum usage and to reduce risk of over interrogations. In order to enable synchronised implementation, these projects must include:

1. Operational use of ADS-B data within its surveillance infrastructure to achieve an optimal combination of ground surveillance infrastructure by air navigation service providers. The projects enable decommissioning existing radar infrastructure and therefore must include a plan for decommissioning the existing surveillance infrastructure, including the cross-border infrastructure, to improve cost and spectrum efficiency.

and

1. Equipping aircraft with ‘ADS-B out’ avionics by airspace users that are exempted from complying with the surveillance regulatory requirements within the EASA Basic Regulation framework (e.g., military and General Aviation), when this facilitates air navigation service providers in achieving an optimal combination of surveillance infrastructure (e.g. by decommissioning radars that are maintained to provide service to non-ADS-B equipped aircraft).

These projects must be proposed by consortia grouping service providers and airspace users not mandated under the scope of SPI Regulation, operating within the same local environment.

The projects must include the decommissioning plan, to be implemented within the duration of the action, of legacy infrastructure thus demonstrating the engagement of stakeholders for rationalisation. The deployment or upgrade of radars and WAM systems are not eligible for funding. The costs for decommissioning infrastructure are also not eligible for funding.

4. Surveillance security

Projects aiming to implement security improvements on the surveillance infrastructure by enabling the detection, reporting and, when possible, mitigation of security threats^[5].

5. GNSS interference

Projects in this domain must implement mitigation measures, addressing GNSS interferences that represent a significant safety risk and a cybersecurity threat to civil aviation operations. Such measures must be in line with the following recommendations of the EASA SIB 2022-02R2:

1. Establishment of contingency procedures and plans;
2. Update of operational procedures and training activities for ATCOs and flight crew;
3. Civil-military coordination activities;
4. Monitoring of airspace and aircraft affected by GNSS interferences, and detection of interference sources;
5. Implement avionics updates available from manufacturers to improve robustness and resilience;
6. Operate and maintain avionics as recommended by manufacturers.

6. U-space U1 and U2 services

The implementation of foundational U1 and initial U2 U-space services (Commission IR 2021/664) will enable the safe operation of UAS in the designated U-space airspaces facilitated by the entrance of new stakeholders (e.g., common information service provider (CISP), U-space service provider (USSP), vertiport, drone/UAS operators, etc.). Projects should aim at accelerating the market uptake and implementation of the foundational U1 and initial U2 U-space services.

General Requirements for ‘Other ATM Projects’

1. Applicants are encouraged to team up and submit a single proposal for all CNS topics. Consortia are encouraged to include all relevant operational stakeholders and manufacturers under a common coordinator.
2. Funding could be awarded for projects that implement deployment activities mandated under Union Law - single European sky legislation and EASA legal framework - whose deadline for implementation has not expired by the date on which this call is published.
3. Costs incurred after the deadlines established in the above-mentioned legislation will not be eligible for funding.
4. Applicants are encouraged to team up with partners from several States to address common challenges including the rationalisation of cross-border infrastructure.
5. Decommissioning activities must be included and implemented within the duration of the action. Failure to complete the decommissioning work for PBN and ADS-B projects within the duration of the action will lead to a 10% reduction of the corresponding grant.
6. Proposals must include a milestone requiring the submission of requests to the competent authorities for the certification/approval of the relevant CNS avionics, infrastructure, route or procedures (e.g., airworthiness approval or publication in AIP) if they are necessary for operational implementation.

[1] Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1048.

[2] Regulation (EU) 2018/1139

[3] https://ext.eurocontrol.int/WikiLink/images/8/89/Datalink_Deployment_Actions_-_Recs_for_Operators.pdf

[4] The Datalink Support Group (DSG) was established jointly by the Network Manager, EASA and SDM. It actively pursues the resolution of technical issues in the European datalink system. The group promotes discussion between affected stakeholders (aircraft operators, ACSPs, ANSPs and manufacturers), analyses technical and operational issues, and proposes technical and/or operational solutions to the relevant stakeholders. The DSG has identified a list of deployment projects for operators to upgrade their avionics with patches that resolved known and verified interoperability issues, including those linked with EASA SIBs. Find DSG on:

https://ext.eurocontrol.int/WikiLink/index.php/Data_link_Support_Group

[5] The SESAR solution reference is PJ.14-W2-84c “Secured Surveillance Systems (Single and Composite Systems)” (https://www.sesarju.eu/sesar-solutions/secured-surveillance-systems-single-and-composite-systems).