Raytheon suggests we can all just get along — on the same frequency. The key to lowering ADS-B equipment costs and improving safety lies in “adopting a single international standard for locating aircraft,” according to a release distributed by Raytheon’s ADS-B team. What that translates to, according to the team, is mandating a single frequency for all ADS-B operations worldwide — that means maintaining both commercial and general aviation aircraft on the same frequency. A current proposal suggests the two should operate separately. How it all translates through business is that a handful of huge corporations will be burdened with the task, and reap any potential rewards. Raytheon’s proposal suggests XM WX Satellite Weather Radio to supply weather information; U.K. defense company QinetiQ’s radio design to manage surveillance; Verizon’s nationwide telecommunications network to carry the signals and transmit them skyward via cellular towers; and air-ground radio with help from ARINC.
