System wide information management (SWIM) is an important enabler for assuring that the right information is available with the right quality to the right person at the right time.

As more users take to the skies and airspace becomes increasingly complex, air traffic controllers need seamless connections between different communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS) systems to access up-to-date information. Answering this need is a new air navigation data infrastructure developed by SESAR.

Air traffic control voice and data exchanges rely on secure, reliable communication networks. By letting ground-based actors exchange flight plan data, meteorological and aeronautical updates, surveillance information, flow management and air traffic voice communications, these networks play a critical role in the safe management of the airspace.

Traditionally, such communication networks were based on radio and telephony interfaces. But with airspace becoming increasingly complex, new solutions are needed. That is why SESAR has co-funded the deployment of a digital air navigation data infrastructure by air navigation service providers (ANSPs) in Ireland, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden and elsewhere.

The SESAR supported web-based infrastructure can handle more information at lower costs and is part of aviation’s transition to SWIM.

Introducing SWIM

With the goal of harmonising the exchange of aeronautical, weather, flow and flight information for all stakeholders, SWIM implements a common exchange mechanism that supports information services based on common standards, service definitions and descriptions.

SWIM enables providers and users of ATM information to exchange data using open standards and web technologies. In doing so, it not only simplifies information sharing and improves decision-making, it reduces costs, enables interoperability and makes the aviation data market more competitive.

As part of Europe’s goal of delivering a digital European sky, EU regulation⁽¹⁾ requires that Member States support information sharing between operational stakeholders via interoperable SWIM services and exchanges using internet protocol (IP).

The solution

SWIM is SESAR's most important enabler for assuring that the right information is available with the right quality to the right person at the right time. It covers all ATM information, including aeronautical, flight, aerodrome, meteorological, air traffic flow and surveillance.

Specifically, SESAR Solution #46⁽²⁾ defines a set of requirements for how initial SWIM services are to be implemented, including communication standards and protocols between consumers and service providers.

The results

By upgrading ground/ground communications networks in line with emerging standards, air navigation service providers are future-proofing air traffic services within flight information regions as well as exchanges at the European level.

The details

• Leveraging SESAR research and validation programmes, operators can access co-funded deployment in readiness for EU CP1⁽³⁾ regulations, which requires stakeholders to invest in public key infrastructure (PKI).
• Web-based exchanges such as SWIM introduce new cyber risks, and the PKI requirements are there to help protect these new exchanges.

In action

SESAR deployment projects are helping realise many of these SWIM functionalities and enable the exchange of flow information, as well as departure and management exchanges with the EUROCONTROL Network Manager⁽⁴⁾.

For example, through SESAR, ENAIRE transitioned from legacy analogue technology to a more powerful and flexible SWIM-compliant aeronautical data network that delivers availability, flexibility and security both within Spain and across the pan-European network.

The EUR 20.4 million investment introduced multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) and generic interfaces, automating many routine interchanges and reducing future development costs. Since the legacy telecommunication lines were decommissioned in 2018, annual savings have increased from EUR 2 million to over EUR 5 million in 2022⁽⁵⁾.

The ENAIRE example

In Spain, ENAIRE implemented an IP ground/ground communication network as a prerequisite for SWIM to provide cyber-secure connections between more than 120 different facilities. The EUR 47 million REDAN V technology upgrade saves EUR 5 million annually⁽⁴⁾.

ENAIRE’s new dual operator infrastructure now meets mission-critical operations with 99.999% availability of link infrastructure and interfaces directly with the new pan-European secure cross-border communication network (NewPENS). Air traffic control voice over IP (VoIP) significantly improves quality, offers scalability and lowers cost.

This new REDAN V communication network connects all airports and military bases, air traffic control facilities, radar stations and communications centres and gives these operators seamless access to such aeronautical communication services as meteorological and aircraft communications, addressing and reporting systems and aeronautical telecommunications network (ACARS), in addition to voice and data exchanges with other air navigation service providers⁽⁶⁾.

Meanwhile, in Poland, PANSA upgraded its communication infrastructure to handle rising data volumes. It also improved the integration of legacy information solutions into a SWIM environment in a SESAR deployment project that contributes to stakeholder IP compliance and cooperation ⁽⁷⁾. Similarly, LFV in Sweden implemented additional services to meet SWIM requirements and strengthen communication capabilities with the support of SESAR deployment (part of SESAR’s IP programme)⁽⁸⁾.

SWIM also benefits airports and military operators. For instance, in 2021, Dublin Airport deployed SWIM exchanges to replace conventional messaging to exchange data with the EUROCONTROL Network Manager Operations Centre (NMOC) via a new SWIM platform⁽⁹⁾.

In Italy, Rome Fiumicino Airport implemented a connected aeronautical environment based on SWIM services, along with new approaches to cyber security aimed at securing uninterrupted web-based operations. The virtual checkpoint provided by the firewall technology that protects computers and other network devices has reduced firewall rules management by 20%⁽¹⁰⁾. Furthermore, a wide area network upgrade by the Italian Air Force (ITAF) introduced initial SWIM-based services at multiple sites, in addition to VoIP and Radio over IP (RoIP)⁽¹¹⁾.

As more operators deploy CP1 SWIM and harmonise ground/ground infrastructure development, the benefits of timely information exchange and improved situational awareness will be felt across Europe’s wider ATM network.

References

1. European Digital Sky
2. SESAR Solution #46: Initial System Wide Information Management (SWIM) yellow profile
3. European Commission Implementing Regulation no. 2021/116, Common Project 1 (CP1)
4. SESAR Solution #34: Digital integrated briefing
5. SESAR deployment AF5: Validation report ENAIRE Spain implementation of G/G data communication. TH#059AF5 +2016_038AF5. Project completed 2020.
6. 2016_038_AF5: SESAR deployment Implementation of an IP-based G/G data communication network in ENAIRE (REDAN)
7. SESAR deployment AF5: LAN network upgrade
8. SESAR deployment AF5: Implementing redundant WAN
9. Dublin completes SWIM methods to replace AFTN feeds for A-CDM
10. SESAR deployment AF5: Initial SWIM security deployment
11. ADM AF5: Italian Air Force wide area network