Dubai 2011: Raytheon completes ATM installation at Dubai World Central

Dubai Air Navigation Services will now complete the certification needed before the 60-controller installation becomes operational next year.

The Raytheon AT3 system will provide air traffic control automation for the Dubai terminal airspace and approach control services for Al Maktoum International, Dubai International, Sharjah International, and Al Minhad Airbase. It will also support tower operations at Dubai International and Al Maktoum International Airports.

Stephen DuMont, director of international ATM for Raytheon, said: “We have now completed the site acceptance testing and will continue with our train-the-trainers programme.

“The system contains some of the most advanced surveillance and flight data processing available today. The AT3 installed in Dubai includes multi-radar tracking capabilities, advanced flight data processing, safety net functions, online data interchange, arrival and departure management, and electronic flight strips.

"And its open architecture design is scalable as future updates are expected as capacity in the region grows,” DuMont said.

The AT3 system is designed to provide automated conflict alerts if it detects a potential problem with two aircraft. The system can even take into account future aircraft movements using predict-ahead techniques.

By 2030, the number of aircraft operating in the Middle East could grow by up to 176%, DuMont said.

He added that Raytheon now has ATC systems in more than 50 countries, including installations in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Lebanon, Iraq and Kurdistan, and helps to control up to 60% of the world’s airspace.