Leidos has deployed a Flight Service Voice Communications System using Voice over Internet Protocol technology.
The system, developed in coordination with Rohde & Schwarz USA, delivers the first ED-137C-compliant system into the USA’s national airspace.
Ed Sayadian, senior vice president and operations manager at Leidos said, "This deployment reinforces our commitment to driving innovation and advancing the aviation industry.
"This achievement underscores Leidos' dedication to advancing the future of air travel, supporting safer skies and seamless communication for all."
The Flight Service Voice Communications System’s (FSVCS) network-centric approach was made for the Future Flight Services Program (FFSP). The flexible and scalable system includes interfacing with legacy analog connections and new digital voice communication. The design minimizes dependency on traditional point-to-point communications and increases voice availability with the general aviation community.
The FSVCS operates as a globally accessible, fully networked voice enterprise solution, with enhanced capabilities that monitor radio frequencies from a single position. This enhancement offers increased flexibility for service optimization, introducing full redundancy among Flight Service facilities. This cutting-edge technology supports higher availability and business continuity, directly benefitting pilots and enhancing flight safety in the USA
The FSVCS system reached full operational capability in October 2023 with the integration of Voice over Internet Protocol communication with Air to Ground Media Gateways at six Air Route Traffic Control Centers across the USA. This deployment continues Flight Services provided under the FFSP contract, awarded to Leidos in 2019.
Rohde & Schwarz USA supplied its Certium VCS (voice communication system) as the central component in modernization for the FFSP. Designed to support over 200 operator seats, Certium VCS plays a vital role in providing communication services for briefing the general aviation community.
Its coverage extends across the continental USA, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii, ensuring comprehensive support for flight services. The system is physically deployed at two flight services facilities, strategically located in the Mid-Atlantic and Central United States.
The quadruple redundant system offers load-sharing capabilities and redundancy, enabling uninterrupted operations during planned maintenance or in the unlikely event of an incident. In such a scenario, any one of the two equipment racks at either of the two sites can sustain the entire US Flight Services Communication operations.
Frank Dunn, President of Rohde & Schwarz USA said, "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."