ADS-B Role in National Airspace System
ADS-B is an essential part of the FAA’s NextGen effort, which aims to transform the National Airspace System into a more efficient, predictable, and flexible operation. The real-time, high-resolution surveillance data provided by ADS-B supports a variety of air traffic management services across all phases of flight.
In controlled airspace, ADS-B supplements and, in some cases, replaces secondary radar as a source of surveillance data for controllers. It allows for reduced separation standards by providing more precise aircraft positions, enabling higher-density operations and more flexible routing. Controllers receive a near-instantaneous picture of air traffic, especially in areas where radar coverage may be limited or unavailable.
ADS-B is particularly useful in remote or oceanic regions, such as Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, and over the Atlantic, where radar coverage is sparse or non-existent. Space-based ADS-B systems extend surveillance to these areas by using satellite constellations to receive ADS-B Out messages and transmit them to ATC facilities worldwide.
On the airport surface, ADS-B supports ground surveillance systems like Airport Surface Detection Equipment–Model X (ASDE-X), allowing for more precise tracking of aircraft and vehicles. This enhances safety during taxi, takeoff, and landing operations and helps prevent runway incursions.
Visual Aids
- Map showing areas of ADS-B-only coverage
- Diagram of controller display with ADS-B-enhanced aircraft tracks
- Timeline of NAS modernization with ADS-B milestones