Raytheon Seeks International Standards For ADS-B

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Key Takeaways:

  • Raytheon proposes adopting a single international standard and frequency for all ADS-B operations (commercial and general aviation) to lower equipment costs and improve safety.
  • This suggestion directly opposes a current proposal for separate ADS-B operating frequencies for commercial and general aviation aircraft.
  • Raytheon's plan involves a collaborative effort from major corporations, including XM WX for weather, QinetiQ for radio design, Verizon for signal transmission via cellular towers, and ARINC for air-ground radio.
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Raytheon suggests we can all just get along — on the same frequency. The key to lowering ADS-B equipment costs and improving safety lies in “adopting a single international standard for locating aircraft,” according to a release distributed by Raytheon’s ADS-B team. What that translates to, according to the team, is mandating a single frequency for all ADS-B operations worldwide — that means maintaining both commercial and general aviation aircraft on the same frequency. A current proposal suggests the two should operate separately. How it all translates through business is that a handful of huge corporations will be burdened with the task, and reap any potential rewards. Raytheon’s proposal suggests XM WX Satellite Weather Radio to supply weather information; U.K. defense company QinetiQ’s radio design to manage surveillance; Verizon’s nationwide telecommunications network to carry the signals and transmit them skyward via cellular towers; and air-ground radio with help from ARINC.

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