ATC
FAA orders 11 surveillance units from Sensis
The FAA placed production orders for 11 of Sensis’ airport surface detection equipment systems, Model X (ASDE-X).

The FAA placed production orders for 11 of Sensis’ airport surface detection equipment systems, Model X (ASDE-X). This requisition is in addition to the 21 initial systems ordered in December 2002. The production option for the 11 ASDE-X systems, in addition to associated hardware, software and support, is worth approximately $35 million.

ASDE-X is an airport surface surveillance system that is expected to provide seamless surveillance and aircraft identification to air traffic controllers. The system uses a combination of surface-movement radar, transponder multilateration and ADS-B sensors to display aircraft position, labeled with call-signs, on ATC tower displays. The integration of the three components provides data with an accuracy, update rate and reliability that is projected to improve airport safety and efficiency.