The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and Thales have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on developing new concepts of operations for air traffic management (ATM), as well as the next generation of ATM technologies. The MoU was signed in Singapore by Kevin Shum, Director-General, CAAS, and Alex Cresswell, Thales Executive Vice President (EVP) for Land and Air Systems.

The MoU will facilitate cooperation in analysing the impact digital trends have on the aviation ecosystem, applying artificial intelligence in ATM, and co-developing an ATM system architecture that is future-ready and flexible to allow new advanced technologies to be easily incorporated into operations. Mixed use of airspace for manned aircraft and drones will also be explored. These activities will support the development of the next generation of ATM operations that will be nimble, scalable and adaptable.

Shum said that the CAAS was committed to exploring new innovations and digital technologies to develop ATM solutions that address the unique challenges faced by Singapore and the Asia Pacific region.