A.2. CNS roadmap

The roadmap in Figure 20 covers communication, navigation, surveillance (CNS) functionalities that need to be developed and deployed to implement the vision. The ATM system will gradually evolve into one lean and efficient CNS infrastructure with state-of-the-art technology. The roadmap considers the target architecture and service delivery model, which seeks to enable much higher levels of connectivity and automation of systems on the ground and in the air than today. It also outlines, where possible, opportunities for the convergence of the ATM and U-space environments, and rationalisations that should be considered during the transition between the current and future CNS infrastructure. Finally, the roadmap integrates and refines the recent work of the CNS Advisory Group (¹), civil–military synergies, and the White Paper on future connectivity in aviation (²).

This roadmap will be complemented by a CNS Evolution Plan, which is under development by the CNS Programme Manager function, executed by the Network Manager. The plan will provide more details on the modernisation of European CNS infrastructure, addressing how best to deploy strategic priorities defined in the ATM Master Plan. It will detail the rationale and timelines for the deployment of new ground infrastructure, on which the synchronised evolution of the relevant ground and airborne certification specifications and EU deployment mandates can be based, as well as options for the decommissioning and removal of equipment assessed as surplus to resilience principles still to be defined at the network and national levels. The CNS Programme Manager may make recommendations to be considered in regulatory or policy intervention, which will remain subject to the relevant institutional regulatory and rule-making process.

Vision and key milestones for CNS

By 2030, the number of required navigation performance (RNP) approaches and precision approach procedures will significantly increase and the transition towards high-performance air–ground connectivity (a successor of very-high-frequency data link mode 2 (VDL-M2) will be under way. Significant progress will have been made on development priorities affecting CNS, such as the use by future ground platforms of CNS data as a service.

By 2035, A minimum operational network (MON) will have been implemented in Europe to fully optimise the infrastructure where possible and address vulnerabilities such as system failures, electromagnetic interferences, jamming, spoofing and ionospheric propagation disturbances.

By 2045, Voice communication will no longer be the primary means of communication, as most routine tasks will be managed through machine–machine applications. Infrastructure on the ground, in the air and in space will be used effectively to deliver CNS as a service. The service will be contracted between customers and providers with a clearly established set of Europe-wide harmonised services and a level of quality that enables the optimisation of trajectories for all users of the sky (civil and military). Ground-based augmentation systems (GBAS) leveraging Galileo will serve category (CAT) II/III operations currently relying on instrument landing systems (ILS), and GNSS capabilities will be fully leveraged to allow innovative air mobility (IAM) users to operate effectively, providing robust capabilities against jamming and spoofing (leveraging Galileo Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA)).