Future Concept of Operations: The Airbus ADS-B Perspective

This paper describes the Airbus plans to use ADS-B in the future concept of operations in both the European SESAR and the US NEXTGEN concepts of operations. It details the different steps that are currently considered by Airbus roadmap to deploy ADS-B services and functions. In particular, the following points are described:

• Use of ADS-B OUT in Non Radar Airspace
• Use of ADS-B IN and the associated Airbus functions to offer a better Air Traffic Situation Awareness (ATSAW) package: the various applications for airborne, in trail climb/descent procedures or enhanced visual acquisition are particularly detailed.
• Use of ADS-B for the future Spacing function as currently considered in the initial ASAS implementation for SESAR: the three “Remain Behind”, “Merge at Waypoint then Remain behind” and the “Heading then merge behind” applications are explained. The use of the ASAS function within the TMA as a complement to the other pillar of a future ATM concept (4D-Trajectory) is discussed in a dedicated paragraph.

The way all the above points have been tackled by Airbus as far as cockpit philosophy, HMI and HF principles are concerned is also described in this paper. The basic assumptions that have been made with regards to the automation of these new types of operations are explained. To this end, the new interfaces, the new tasks pilot will have to carry out are also discussed through the depiction of some operational scenarios.