Atrak, a member of the CSG industrial and technology group, introduced a new air traffic management solution at Airspace World in Lisbon. The modern MAESTRO Digital Remote Tower platform combines advanced camera systems and sensors with artificial intelligence tools. As a result, it provides air traffic controllers with the same, and in many situations even higher, level of situational awareness than a conventional airport control tower. The platform also enables customers to provide aerodrome control services from a single Remote Tower Centre, serving one or multiple airports simultaneously.
MAESTRO Digital Remote Tower represents a modern alternative to the conventional airport control tower. The comprehensive solution enables centralised aerodrome control from a Remote Tower Centre connected to camera systems, sensors and radar data, and equipped with automation tools. Air traffic controllers can therefore monitor aircraft and vehicle movements on runways, taxiways and aprons, as well as traffic in the surrounding airspace, in real time, without being physically located in a conventional tower at the airport.
“MAESTRO is another step in the development of our portfolio of systems for the provision of air traffic control services and airspace management. It draws on CSG’s long-standing experience in radar systems, ATM software and operational technologies for civil and military customers. By combining camera systems, sensor data and artificial intelligence, we are able to offer airports a solution that enhances safety, efficiency and operational flexibility,” said Aleš Fikar, CEO of Atrak.
A Virtual Alternative to the Traditional Airport Control Tower
Air traffic is facing growing demands in terms of safety, efficiency and the availability of qualified personnel. At the same time, the construction and operation of conventional airport control towers is both financially and operationally demanding. MAESTRO Digital Remote Tower responds to these trends with a solution that enables aerodrome control services to be provided for one or multiple airports from a centralised workplace, reduces infrastructure costs and expands data support for air traffic controllers.
The system uses a high-resolution camera system providing panoramic coverage of the airport environment, including cameras with optical zoom and the option of using infrared or thermal imaging for night operations and adverse weather conditions. Video data is integrated with ATM systems, radar surveillance data and other sensors. The result is a digital working environment that gives controllers a clear real-time view of the operational situation, including dynamic overlays, highlighted objects and decision-support functions.
AI Tools for Enhanced Situational Awareness
One of the key elements of the MAESTRO solution is the use of artificial intelligence. The system supports object recognition and tracking, the fusion of optical and radar data, automatic detection of potentially hazardous situations and transcription of communication between pilots and air traffic controllers. These functions can help identify abnormal situations, communication deviations or potential conflicts on the airport movement area at an early stage.
The MAESTRO solution is designed primarily for regional and medium-sized airports, air navigation service providers, civil and military airport operators and government institutions responsible for airspace management. Thanks to its modularity and scalability, it can be adapted to different types of operations – from individual airports to complex centres providing services for multiple airports simultaneously. This capability for multi-airport operations, i.e. providing services for several airports from a single Remote Tower Centre, is one of the key benefits of digital towers.
Tested in the Real Operating Environment of Václav Havel Airport Prague
The MAESTRO solution is being developed and validated in a real airport environment. For more than 18 months, its development and testing have been under way at Václav Havel Airport Prague, where the system is connected to live operational data, communication systems and surveillance infrastructure. This development has made it possible to verify integration with ATM systems, work with real traffic, AI-assisted monitoring, operations in various weather and night-time conditions, as well as contingency operation scenarios.
Prague’s international airport has also provided important data for fine-tuning the system under high-traffic conditions, including multiple aircraft types, night operations, changing weather and various operational scenarios. Development in such an environment is a significant competitive advantage for both ATRAK and the CSG Group, as it allows the solution to be built on practical experience from real operations.
MAESTRO is a natural extension of CSG’s long-standing expertise in radar systems, ATM software, surveillance systems and technologies, and airspace management. CSG has extensive experience in this field from civil and military projects, and its technologies are used in markets across Europe, Asia, Africa and other regions.
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