SWIM enables ATM information to be exchanged in a timely and accurate way. It operates in a network-centric environment by interconnecting multiple domain systems to provide accurate, accredited information to qualified parties. In the air/ground domain, SWIM allows the uplink and downlink distribution of safety-critical information through SWIM services over the aeronautical telecommunications network/Internet protocol suite (ATN/IPS) in place of legacy point-to-point contracted services. SESAR aims to replace legacy services or seek to evolve them – such as those in place to support controller pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) and ADS-C – with an information distribution method over air-ground SWIM infrastructure. This enables, for instance, several ANSPs and airline operators to subscribe to information over the ground-based SWIM network. Addressing the technical infrastructure of SWIM for air/ground services benefits many SESAR 2020 projects and provides a key building block for trajectory-based operations.

SESAR research is looking at safety critical requirements for air/ground information exchange and analysing service description documents (SDDs) for different ATM services. The work includes designing and validating the SWIM purple profile for safety-critical information sharing and concerns only the infrastructure layer. Key priorities include security, performance, safety, accessibility, maintainability and reliability, based on existing requirements for CPDLC and ADS-C services in use today. The candidate solution represents a technical enabler for the integration of the aircraft into the SWIM network enabling aircraft, flight crews and ground-based systems to benefit from SWIM concept and principles .

BENEFITS

Increased cost efficiency

Enhanced safety

Improve security