iSNAP (iTEC SkyNex ATC Platform) aims at evolving the current iTEC SkyNex platform to support the virtual centre concept, mainly in terms of architecture and technology. The main objective is to allow the decoupling of ATM service provision from the infrastructure. The platform evolution will eventually provide a consistent contribution to enhance safety, resilience and scalability of the ATM network, allowing a more flexible provision of ATM services.

The project will address different areas of the platform, not only defining the related technical and architectural improvements in it but also implementing them and performing validation activities to assess whether they are feasible and suitable.

In addition, the project will go one step beyond in the research of airspace delegation using Virtual Centre D-architecture, focusing on the technical developments that enable the delegation of ATM services between two air traffic service units (ATSUs), each one with its own ATM Data Service Provider (ADSP). Delegation with a D-architecture will be achieved by providing interoperability services for remotely connecting Control Working Positions (CWPs) from the receiving ATSU to the ADSP of the delegating ATSU without affecting the respective ATSU Areas of Responsibility.

iSNAP project will benefit directly over half of the European territory, which is part of the iTEC alliance, and allowing the rest of countries to progress faster based on the developed standards and architectural results.