The Federal Aviation Administration has targeted 2020 for equipage of Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) aircraft datalink avionics, but warns costs need to be reduced.
FAA officials intend to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) requiring operators to equip aircraft for ADS-B by 2020 to enter selected airspace. However, a government/industry "tiger team" has concluded that aircraft separation standards will have to be significantly reduced for the ADS-B system to be worth the investment. ADS-B augments global positioning system signals relayed from aircraft to ground stations to provide air traffic control, pilots, and airport vehicles with information such as precise aircraft location, bearings, and identification. (Flight International, 1/12/07)