New Airbus A320neo jets to bolster Lufthansa Group's high-tech arsenal with ADS-C EPP.
Setting its sights on the pioneering integration of trajectory-based information capabilities, the Lufthansa Group plans to incorporate this feature into its new Airbus A320neo family aircraft, slated for delivery next year.
Over 65 jets are due to be armed with the 'extended projected profile' (EPP) technology. This system leans on the advanced ADS-C surveillance transmissions which bridge communication between the aircraft's flight-management system and air traffic control.
The standard ADS-C technology facilitates downlinking of flight information to air traffic controllers. However, the ADS-C EPP version takes it up a notch by incorporating a real-time four-dimensional reference trajectory, informed by the flight-management system's route and performance data.
This integration could pave the way for precise predictions of the aircraft's future position, creating opportunities for more streamlined airspace management and route optimization.
Detlef Kayser, a member of Lufthansa Group's executive board overseeing fleet and technology, stated that the new Airbus aircraft would be fitted with the ADS-C capability ahead of a European mandate scheduled for 2028.
"With this technology, we will enable our pilots to fly even more efficiently on initial flights within Europe as early as next year," he confirmed.
Initially, the aircraft will be authorized to utilize ADS-C EPP within the upper Maastricht airspace, encompassing a segment of northwest Europe.
Lufthansa Group highlighted its commitment to enhancing airspace management across Europe, avoiding unnecessary detours, and promoting sustainable flight practices. It added that the company is making strides to "pioneer" the technology and facilitate its "rapid introduction."
