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Embry-Riddle to Access ITT Exelis Flight-Tracking Data for NextGen Academic Research and Analysis
Herndon, VA, May 30, 2012
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and ITT Exelis (NYSE: XLS) have entered into a licensing agreement for Exelis to provide its real-time integrated Next Generation flight-tracking data for ERAU’s academic research and analysis.
“The agreement with Exelis permits Embry-Riddle’s faculty, staff and students to evaluate, analyze and research air traffic control-quality surveillance in real-time,” said Steven Hampton, associate dean for research, College of Aviation, at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach, Fla., campus. “This level of unique access to Exelis NextGen surveillance information means that Embry-Riddle researchers can investigate a number of areas, including safety and efficiency, among other applications. We are pleased to expand our relationship with Exelis and assist in developing NextGen-powered solutions.”
Embry-Riddle’s potential uses of the surveillance data may include the following:
- The university’s researchers could analyze the information to enhance electronic flight management systems, giving pilots better situational awareness and conflict detection/resolution.
- Students could train more effectively to operate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) by flying dynamic missions in live traffic.
- Long-term studies of actual traffic patterns and procedures could improve the understanding of the effects of weather on the national airspace system (NAS) and how to integrate UAS and commercial spaceflight operations into the NAS.
Since October 2011, ERAU has been using the Exelis Symphony® OpsVueä application that provides the flight operations center with a complete and accurate real-time view of airway and airport activity, allowing for safer, more efficient operations. The system incorporates the most comprehensive aircraft surveillance data available, including data from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s NextGen surveillance system, which Exelis installed and will operate and maintain.
“This latest agreement expands our relationship with Embry-Riddle by providing direct access to our nationwide NextGen surveillance data,” said Ted Carniol, general manager of commercial aviation solutions at Exelis. “This relationship both enhances Embry-Riddle’s reputation as a leader in applied research and analysis and enables Exelis to deliver safety and efficiency benefits to future aviation and aerospace graduates.”
About ITT Exelis
ITT Exelis is a diversified, top-tier global aerospace, defense and information solutions company with strong positions in enduring and emerging global markets. Exelis is a leader in networked communications, sensing and surveillance, electronic warfare, navigation, air traffic solutions and information systems with growing positions in cyber security, composite aerostructures, logistics and technical services. The company has a 50-year legacy of innovation and technology expertise, partnering with customers worldwide to deliver affordable, mission-critical products and services for managing global threats, conflicts and complexities. Headquartered in McLean, Va., the company employs about 20,500 people and generated 2011 sales of $5.8 billion.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, is a nonprofit, independent institution offering more than 40 baccalaureate, master's and Ph.D. degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business and Engineering. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., and through the Worldwide Campus with more than 150 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The university is a major research center, seeking solutions to real-world problems in partnership with the aerospace industry, other universities and government agencies. For more information, visit http://www.embryriddle.edu, follow us on Twitter (@EmbryRiddle) and facebook.com/EmbryRiddleUniversity, and find expert videos at YouTube.com/EmbryRiddleUniv.
