IRIA News

France has selected the RTX subsidiary company Collins Aerospace’s vehicle-mounted Air Traffic Navigation, Integration, and Coordination System (ATNAVICS), becoming the first international customer for the advanced system, which promises to revolutionize the French Army’s air traffic management capabilities.

ATNAVICS is the world’s only fully autonomous and highly mobile complete Ground Controlled Approach compliant to International Civil Aviation Organization standards and fully mission-tested for operation and survivability on the battlefield. The system is transportable in a single C-130 aircraft.

Collins Aerospace describes ATNAVICS as “the most capable, lightweight, and compact configuration available,” emphasizing its efficiency in providing air traffic services for rapid troop and equipment deployment. This capability is particularly crucial for operations in remote and harsh environments, which often pose logistical challenges. The system is not only designed for military applications but also for supporting humanitarian missions, where quick and reliable air traffic management can be a matter of life and death.

NEWS: French DGA (@fundit_fr) selects Collins Aerospace’s mobile air traffic control system for the French Armée de Terre, making France the first international ATNAVICS customer. #Eurosatory2024

Details: https://t.co/cLpE37c1aD pic.twitter.com/nMxzYpXFhY

— RTX (@RTX_News) June 17, 2024

Vice President of Collings Aerospace, Dr. Bruce Brown, highlighted the significance of the latest contract by stating that “The selection of our mobile air traffic control systems will provide French forces with expeditionary air traffic management capabilities.” He further elaborated on the system’s versatility, noting, “Our mission-proven system is designed to provide field operations with on-demand surveillance, precision landing, and identification friend-or-foe capabilities.”

France has become the international buyer of the system after the United States’ armed forces, which already utilize the system across various branches, including the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force. The strategic alignment of using the same system would strengthen France’s operational capabilities with its allied forces, a critical factor in joint operations.

The agreement to procure ATNAVICS was formalized at the Eurosatory Defence and Security Exhibition 2024, a premier event for defense and security stakeholders. The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from Collins Aerospace and the French government, underscoring the high-level commitment to this acquisition.

Colonel Aurelie of the French defense procurement agency expressed enthusiasm for the new capability. “We look forward to receiving this new capability, which will enable our forces to quickly open up theaters of operation, thanks to the use of a single military transport aircraft for ATNAVICS dispatch, which can be deployed in less than an hour,” he said.

Key Features of ATNAVICS

• Complete, self-contained mobile system including prime power and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)
• The system is transportable in a single C-130
• One-hour setup time to controlling aircraft
• Integrated PSR/SSR/PAR system
• Tracking of high-altitude, low-speed and highly maneuverable targets

Other projects

In addition to the ATNAVICS deal, Collins Aerospace has been actively involved in several other high-profile defense projects. In May, the company announced a partnership with Rolls-Royce and the Sierra Nevada Corporation to support the US Air Force’s development of “Doomsday” aircraft under the Pentagon’s Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) program. This initiative aims to replace the aging E-4B Nightwatch fleet, which has been in service since the 1970s, with more advanced and survivable aircraft.

Furthermore, Collins Aerospace recently completed testing on an 80-kilowatt cooling system for the F-35 aircraft. This Enhanced Power and Cooling System was rigorously trialed under various operating conditions to ensure it meets the future operational needs of the F-35 platform. Such advancements are crucial for maintaining the technological edge of modern fighter aircraft.

In another significant development, the Collins Elbit Vision Systems joint venture secured a contract from the US Navy to engineer, produce, and test Improved Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems. These systems are intended for the Block III F/A-18E Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, enhancing the pilots’ situational awareness and targeting capabilities.