The iSNAP project completion lays the foundations for the new service delivery model

The iSNAP project has recently come to a close, concluding its work on advancing a new generation of air traffic management systems. Focused on developing the technological and architectural foundations for the new service delivery model, the project explored how to separate air traffic control applications from infrastructure to enable more flexible and service-oriented operations.

Its results were presented on 4 March at a closing event hosted by the project coordinator, Indra, at its headquarters in Madrid.

The event brought together key stakeholders from across the ATM community, including representatives from Indra, the iTEC Collaboration and the SESAR Joint Undertaking. In their opening remarks, Óscar López, Marcel Bakker and Benoit Fonck highlighted the strategic importance of iSNAP as a decisive step towards a new generation of air traffic control systems.

During the event, Mayte Cano, SESAR Project Manager at Indra ATM, together with the iSNAP technical team, presented the architecture, the solutions developed, and the main results achieved. Live demonstrations were also carried out, showcasing developments supporting the evolution of the iTEC SkyNex platform. These demonstrated progress towards the new service delivery model (NSDM), a new approach that separates ATC applications from physical infrastructure, enabling more flexible, modular, and efficient management.

Two key solutions for the future of ATM

The iSNAP project has delivered two fundamental solutions that mark the first steps towards a new generation of ATM systems:

1. Technological foundations for a next-generation ATM platform, providing a solid basis for the future development of the NSDM.
2. Development and validation of the D-Architecture, designed to enable the delegation of ATC service provision between different air traffic service units, fostering a more open, flexible, and service-oriented ecosystem.

Technical advances validated in an operational environment

Several of the project's main technical developments were presented during the event, including a new supervisor working position that centralises the monitoring of all system nodes; monitoring of safety nets and tracking services; advanced historical message management; and remote supervision capabilities.

The project results have confirmed the technical feasibility of the proposed architectural changes and represent a significant step forward towards the virtualisation of air traffic control and the concept of dynamic airspace delegation.

From project to operational platform

The concepts developed within iSNAP are being directly integrated into the ongoing evolution of iTEC SkyNex, the technological platform used by the air navigation service providers of the iTEC collaboration, which manage more than half of European airspace.

During the event, Óscar López stated: "We celebrate the achievements of iSNAP, the collaboration that made them possible, and the progress that paves the way for iTEC SkyNex to address the challenges of the New Service Delivery Model and help redefine the future of ATM."

Building on iSNAP's results

With iSNAP now complete, the next phase is already taking shape. The ARTEMISA project has been selected as a result of a recent SESAR call, with Indra as project lead, to further advance these technological capabilities. In addition, iSNAP's results pave the way for the DEVICE project, a precursor to the deployment of the D-Architecture within the SESAR programme.

More about iSNAP