ICNS 2021 Technical Exchange #2

Embracing Emerging and Future Concepts:

The Evolution of Operations, Capabilities and Interoperability in the NAS

Presentation by Frank Matus, Director, ATC Digital Aviation Solutions, Americas with Thales Airspace Mobility Solutions
Presented: Thursday, 8 April 2021 12:00 pm EDT

The national airspace system is arguably the most complex air traffic system in the world. Metroplex operations, capacity-constrained airports and an aging infrastructure specific to the FAA, have created a major, modernization challenge as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. All these factors, coupled with new entrants seeking air traffic services, necessitate a change to our conventional thought process in solution design and implementation.

This discussion dives into several topic areas from capabilities to operations, to the need for secure, digital platforms, to help the NAS emerge stronger, and better prepared for the future. Just as NextGen was imagined following the tragedy of 9-11, the BlueSkies initiative will provide a near-term mechanism to help the FAA, NASA and aviation stakeholders, prioritize technology investments, conduct risk reduction activities and implement a “performance-based” system to accommodate the rebound and growth within the airspace system. This interoperable navigation, communication and surveillance future is closer than we think but we must make strides to validate the safety and security of these solutions before we reach gridlock again.

Frank Matus and Bob Lee will address your questions after the talk.

Frank Matus Image — **FRANK MATU.S.**
Director, ATC Digital Aviation Solutions, Americas – Thales Airspace Mobility Solutions

Frank Matus has over 20 years of experience establishing strategy/development initiatives for emerging air traffic management concepts and solutions in the global aviation market. As director, Matus leads this emerging part of the Thales Airspace Mobility Solutions business serving as a system-of-systems integrator combining sensor technology with cloud- native, digital tools to modernize and facilitate the integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) globally. Matus serves as the chairman of the Air Traffic Control Association Blue Skies Committee Working Committee.

Bob Lee image — **Bob Lee**
Principal Aviation Engineer
LS Technologies

Bob has over 30 years of experience in the development of aviation solutions for commercial and business aircraft. He has a broad background ranging from development and certification of on-board systems to data communication systems supporting connected aircraft concepts.

Bob is a regular contributor to various industry activities at AIA, ATCA, EUROCONTROL and ICAO. He currently chairs the ICCAIA CNS/ATM committee and is a member of the ICCAIA Strategy committee.