Saab Remote Tower System For LFV Passes Site Acceptance Testing

The Saab Remote Tower (r-TWR) system under deployment for LFV, Sweden’s Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), has passed Site Acceptance Testing (SAT). The system is the industry’s first to achieve this milestone, leading the way for full operational certification later in 2013.

For LFV, Saab has deployed r-TWR technology at Sundsvall and Örnsköldsvik Airports to provide the Remote Tower Center (RTC) in Sundsvall with high resolution video of the airports. The Swedish Transportation Authority will begin the certification process for operational use in February.

“This is a brand new, cutting-edge technology for the industry. Remote Tower Services allows us to safely deliver services while reducing costs for our customers,” says Pia Johansson, Marketing Manager for LFV Tower and Approach Control.

The Saab r-TWR system uses a number of video, audio and other sensors to provide a continual, comprehensive view of an airport. The video and other sensor information is fed to a RTC where the video is streamed live to a controller on multiple LCD displays. Controllers at the RTC have complete control over all sensors along with integrated flight data, airfield equipment, electronic flight strips and other Air Traffic Control tools.

“Achieving SAT is a major step forward toward the broader acceptance of this new approach to air traffic control and was accomplished due to close collaboration between Saab and LFV,” said Ken Kaminski, senior vice president of Saab Sensis. “Remote towers hold great potential for safe, cost-effective delivery of air traffic services to new locations and as a replacement for outdated facilities. It also opens the opportunity to merge multiple tower operations into one Center for more efficient services.”

Saab is also deploying r-TWR systems for Airservices Australia and Avinor.