Raytheon: Indian GAGAN air navigation system is the world’s most advanced

Washington: Raytheon Company has been awarded an $82 million contract from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to partner it in modernising the Indian air navigation system. Raytheon will build the ground stations for the GPS-Aided Geosynchronous Augmented Navigation System (GAGAN) and ISRO will provide the space segment and additional ground equipment.

The GAGAN system is designed to provide satellite-based navigation for civil aviation over Indian airspace and adjoining areas in the Indian sub-continent and East Asia.

"GAGAN will be the world's most advanced air navigation system and further reinforces India's leadership in the forefront of air navigation," says Andy Zogg, vice president, Command and Control Systems at Raytheon Network Centric Systems. "GAGAN will greatly improve safety, reduce congestion and enhance communications to meet India's growing air traffic management needs."

According to Raytheon representatives, it is the only company that has delivered satellite-based augmentation systems that have been certified for safety-of-flight operations. The company developed the Federal Aviation Administration's Wide Area Augmentation System and was engaged in the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau's Multi-Function Transport Satellite Augmentation System.

"Our GAGAN solution addresses the four essential elements of safe air navigation: accuracy, integrity, availability and continuity," says Fritz Treyz, Raytheon Network Centric Systems director of Business Development who led the Raytheon team pursuing the GAGAN initiative.

Raytheon says it expects to have the GAGAN system functional by 2013.