The problem of insecure voice radio communications between ground and air could be solved with the certification of the automatic tasking, relay and acknowledgement system (ATRAKS) manufactured by Mass, part of the Silicon Valley Group (Hall 4, E22).
Developed for the Royal Navy's commando helicopter force, ATRAKS converts insecure voice radio networks into smart, software-driven data networks. ATRAKS is a bolt-on system that can attach to any radio. Consisting of a lightweight, rugged keyboard, data encryption system and printer, the pilot receives information from the ground in the form of a long receipt-type strip. Ground operations are notified when the information is accessed. If the information is not accessed by a pilot, then ground staff are also alerted. If the pilot is unable to carry out the instructions he can use the keyboard to relay the situation.
"There have been ground to ground applications of this type before but this is the first time it's been put up in the air," says Mass marketing manager Tim Eltringham. "It's a great way for a helicopter pilot to stay in constant contact with personnel on the ground who can tell how many aircraft are in the air at any one time and how they are all deployed."
GPS Tracking also allows the position of each helicopter to be tracked. As well as being lightweight, the fact that the device is used with existing radios also means that it is low cost. It will be in Royal Navy operation next year. "The Royal Navy has been very supportive of the whole programme," says Eltringham.
Source: Flight Daily News