Airservices Australia announced on December 21 that it has completed its rollout of ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast) ground stations, effectively giving radar-like coverage across Australia.
The nationwide ADS-B network, as well as a digital communications backbone to support it, became fully operational from midnight on December 18. “The successful delivery of these programs represents the culmination of years of planning to deliver Australia’s next generation, satellite based air traffic surveillance system,” said Airservices CEO Greg Russell.
ADS-B technology broadcasts an aircraft’s callsign, position, altitude, velocity and other data, twice every second, improving the accuracy of information used by air traffic controllers and other aircraft. As a result, controllers are able to reduce aircraft separations and improve safety and improve the efficiency of the airways.
