The implementation of Rohde & Schwarz’s CERTIUM VCS in the Future Flight Services Program marks a noteworthy technological progress for the general aviation sector.
Future Flight Services Program powered by CERTIUM VCS from Rohde & Schwarz
Rohde & Schwarz USA, Inc. has officially communicated the successful deployment of the state-of-the-art CERTIUM VCS voice communication system, serving as the central element in the modernization efforts of the Future Flight Services Program (FFSP). This achievement, realized on October 26, 2023, signifies a noteworthy technological leap forward for both the Flight Service Program and the broader general aviation community. Notably, it stands out as the first ED-137C compliant, fully IP-based VCS operating in the United States.
Engineered to accommodate over 200 operator seats, CERTIUM VCS plays a pivotal role in delivering communication services essential for briefing the general aviation community. Its coverage spans the continental United States, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii, ensuring comprehensive support for flight services. The system is physically deployed at two strategically located flight services facilities, positioned in the Mid-Atlantic and Central United States.
An exceptional feature of the quadruple redundant system is its load-sharing capabilities and redundancy, providing the capacity for uninterrupted operations during planned maintenance or the unlikely event of an incident. In such a scenario, either of the two equipment racks at the two sites can independently sustain the entire US Flight Services Communication operations.
Frank Dunn, President of Rohde & Schwarz USA, Inc., expressed his enthusiasm for this significant achievement, stating, « This deployment of the Rohde & Schwarz quadruple redundant VCS in the US marks a major step in the technology modernization for Leidos and General Aviation community. »
Marius Münstermann, Vice President for ATC at Rohde & Schwarz added: “Our CERTIUM VCS-4G is fully IP-based and adheres to the latest ED-137C standard. Successfully implementing this future-proof technology underscores the commitment of both Rohde & Schwarz and Leidos to enhance ATC communication infrastructure and support the highest level of safety and efficiency for the aviation industry.”
Compliant with the latest EUROCAE ED-137C standard, CERTIUM VCS demonstrates a remarkable capability, supporting over 900 active air-to-ground channels from a pool of over 1,400 available channels. Furthermore, the system seamlessly incorporates more than 550 dedicated ground-to-ground circuits. Featuring a user-friendly interface that preserves consistency with previous versions, CERTIUM VCS has notably minimized training time, contributing to its widespread acceptance within the user community.
