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| Rockwell Collins ARINC MultiLink flight tracking map. Photo: Rockwell Collins |
[Avionics Today 05-12-2015] Rockwell Collins and nine undisclosed airlines from around the world have launched a trial program for the company’s new ARINC MultiLink flight tracking service. The service, which was announced in March, offers what the company claims to be a comprehensive and cost-effective global flight tracking solution for airlines.
ARINC MultiLink brings together multiple data sources to reliably report the location of an aircraft anywhere in the world, according to Rockwell Collins. In addition to using High-Frequency Data Link (HFDL) performance data, the service merges multiple other data sources including Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C), Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), Aircraft Situation Display Industry (ASDI) radar data, Eurocontrol position information and Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) position reports, many of which the airlines already generate.
The airlines testing the program are based in Europe, Asia, Middle East, North America and Latin America and operate both regionally and globally. Upon completion of the trials, the ARINC MultiLink service is expected to enter into service in the fall.
“The geographic diversity of the airlines participating in this program is very compelling,” said Yun Chong, vice president of commercial aviation services for Rockwell Collins’ Information Management Services (IMS) business unit. “They fly a considerable number of oceanic and polar routes, which will allow them to use ARINC MultiLink to track aircraft in some of the most remote regions in the world.”