The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has awarded Thales a contract to develop a new NexGen Air Traffic Management System (ATMS) and air traffic control radars, marking a major step towards a more efficient, safer and sustainable aviation ecosystem.
The NexGen ATMS will replace the current LORADS III system with Thales’ TopSky – ATC One solution. The project also includes knowledge transfer, including the participation of CAAS officers in the project office in France, as well as other localisation projects in Singapore.
As Singapore prepares for rising demand for air travel, the NexGen ATMS will support the growth of regional air traffic through a fully integrated, AI-enabled air traffic control environment.
At the centre of the system is TopSky – ATC One, Thales’ next-generation automation solution, which provides air traffic controllers with real-time decision-support tools, streamlined workflows and a human-machine interface.
The system is powered by TopSky – Sequencer, an AI-based sequencing solution designed to optimise aircraft arrival and departure flows while reducing delays, fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
The NexGen ATMS also incorporates cybersecurity technologies designed to comply with standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Singapore. Its open architecture is designed to support future scalability, including upgrades and integration of third-party solutions as aviation technologies evolve.
Alongside the ATMS upgrade, Thales will deploy two next-generation air traffic control radars providing 24/7 aircraft detection capabilities, including during challenging weather conditions.
The integration of the radars into the NexGen ATMS architecture will enhance situational awareness and provide air traffic controllers with accurate and reliable data for flight management.
Pascale Sourisse, Senior Executive Vice-President, International Development at Thales, said the company was honoured to continue its long-standing partnership with CAAS through the programme. She said the NexGen ATMS represents a new chapter in Singapore’s air traffic management and highlighted Thales’ experience with CAAS, including the LORADS III programme.
Sourisse added that the companies’ experience in testing, co-innovation and developing future-ready solutions will support the safe and efficient management of air traffic in the years ahead.
