Naviair’s ATM system, DATMAS, is based on state-of-the-art ATM technology, and is among the most modern in Europe. The system forms the basis of COOPANS Build 1, which encompasses upgrading and harmonisation of ATM systems for Swedish LFV, Irish IAA and Naviair into an ATM system that uses the same software and harmonised technical solutions.

The COOPANS cooperation began in 2006 and has Thales as supplier and partner. COOPANS is open to new members joining, and, so far, Austro Control in Austria joined in 2010, and, most recently, Croatia Control in Croatia in 2011 as full partners.

The purpose of COOPANS is to reduce the partners’ development costs by continuously upgrading the ATM system. The alternative would have been major, very costly ‘big-bang migrations’. In addition, COOPANS is to harmonise operational and technical procedures in order to limit specific national functionalities. The cooperation is expected to cut system development costs by approximately 30 per cent compared with the costs each partner would incur if it had to develop the technology independently. To this should be added savings in operating expenses due to the joint work concepts.
Besides savings, the COOPANS cooperation meets the EU requirements concerning future harmonisation of Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems in Europe. This will continuously ensure that EU requirements, including performance requirements, are complied with (see Single European Sky – SES section), and be in line with the development of SESAR. COOPANS also supports industry and ICAO requirements.

COOPANS took a major step towards the realisation of a single harmonised ATM system with the implementation of Build 1 in the ATCCs in Shannon and Dublin in Ireland in April and May 2011. Build 1 was implemented in Malmö ATCC at the beginning of 2012. Naviair will follow suit on 31 March 2012, with implementation in the ATCC in Copenhagen and the towers in Roskilde and Billund. Stockholm ATCC, which is scheduled for commissioning in autumn 2012, will complete the roll-out.

The subsequent system upgrade, Build 2, comprises development and integration of changes that are required in order for the latest members to join the COOPANS cooperation, Austro Control and Croatia Control, to be commissioned in 2013 and 2014 respectively. At the same time, the upgrades satisfy a number of necessary EU requirements. Build 2 will also be implemented at IAA, LFV and Naviair, so that the ATM system is continually updated and harmonised at all five ANSPs in the COOPANS cooperation.

Build 3 is expected to be commissioned in the period 2014-2015. The COOPANS cooperation continuously ensures that the development under SES and SESAR is continually followed up on and that all new EU requirements are met.

> Read more in the Business Plan or in the Tactical Plan 


COOPANS & SESAR: Through SESAR, Naviair is putting its stamp on the definition of the future European ATM systems, applying the philosophy already underpinning the COOPANS systems.