About
Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions (SDATS) is a world-leading provider of digital and remote tower technology for civil and military airports. The platform replaces traditional physical control towers with advanced digital systems that allow air traffic controllers (ATCOs) to manage runways from a centralized Remote Operations Centre (ROC), increasing flexibility, safety, and cost efficiency across aviation networks. First brought into live operation in 2015—making the pioneering remotely controlled airports in the world—SDATS has accumulated thousands of hours of operational expertise across diverse environments and geographies. The solution is approved by the Swedish Transport Agency and has been deployed in multiple countries. SDats offers single and multiple runway solutions, deployable special solutions, and full ROC configurations. Key technical capabilities include Surface Movement Radar (SMR) integration, Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control Systems (A-SMGCS), Electronic Flight Strips (E-STRIP), Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM), integrated communications, ramp control, vehicle management, and security and resource management. By centralizing personnel in one digital tower centre, airports achieve 24-hour availability, on-demand open/close flexibility, streamlined maintenance, cross-trained staff backup, and improved safety nets. SDATS supports both large hub airports looking to expand capacity and small regional airports seeking to remain economically viable. The company provides comprehensive project delivery including operational, technical, and business case analysis, implementation, organizational change management, and ongoing technical support.
Key Features
- Remote Operations Centre (ROC): Centralizes multiple airport tower functions in a single facility, enabling on-demand staffing, 24-hour coverage, and mutual backup across locations.
- Single & Multiple Runway Digital Towers: Supports both single-runway regional airports and complex multi-runway hubs with scalable digital tower configurations tailored to each site.
- Advanced Surface Movement & Guidance: Integrates A-SMGCS, Surface Movement Radar (SMR), Electronic Flight Strips (E-STRIP), and A-CDM for comprehensive airside situational awareness.
- End-to-End Project Delivery: Covers the full lifecycle from initial business case analysis and regulatory approval to implementation, staff training, and organizational change management.
- Special Deployable Solutions: Rapidly deployable digital tower configurations designed for temporary, military, or emergency use cases in remote or austere environments.
Use Cases
- Replacing conventional control towers at small regional airports to reduce infrastructure costs and maintain economically viable operations.
- Centralizing air traffic management for multiple airports into a single Remote Operations Centre to improve staffing efficiency and 24-hour coverage.
- Expanding operational capacity at large international airports without building new physical tower infrastructure.
- Rapidly deploying temporary or emergency air traffic control capability using special deployable digital tower solutions.
- Modernizing military or government airfield operations with integrated digital ATC, surface movement, and security management systems.
Pros
- Proven Operational Track Record: In continuous live operation since April 2015, with thousands of hours of real-world experience across harsh environments and multiple countries.
- Comprehensive Full-Service Delivery: SDATS handles everything from regulatory approval and technical integration to staff training and change management, reducing project risk for customers.
- Flexibility for All Airport Sizes: Solutions scale from small regional airports seeking cost-effective operation to large international hubs needing expanded capacity and redundancy.
- Enhanced Safety and Operational Efficiency: Centralized digital operations provide improved safety nets, environmental monitoring, operational analysis, and streamlined system maintenance.
Cons
- High Enterprise Complexity: Implementation requires extensive regulatory approval, infrastructure investment, and organizational change — not suitable for rapid or low-budget deployments.
- Regulatory Approval Required: Each deployment must be approved by the relevant national aviation authority, which can extend project timelines significantly depending on jurisdiction.
- Specialized Workforce Retraining: Transitioning ATCOs and technical staff to digital tower operations requires dedicated training programs and change management efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a digital tower solution?
A digital tower replaces the traditional physical airport control tower with high-resolution cameras, sensors, and digital displays that allow air traffic controllers to manage runways from a remote operations centre, improving flexibility and reducing infrastructure costs.
How long has Saab's digital tower been in live operation?
The first remotely controlled airports using Saab and LFV technology went live on April 21, 2015, making them the world's first. SDATS has been accumulating operational experience ever since.
What types of airports can use Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions?
SDATS solutions are designed for airports of all sizes — from small regional airports that need cost-effective continued operation, to large international airports requiring expanded capacity or centralized multi-airport management.
Is the digital tower solution approved by aviation authorities?
Yes. The SDATS system has been approved by the Swedish Transport Agency under the same regulatory standards as conventional air traffic control, and the company supports customers through authority approval processes in other jurisdictions.
Does Saab provide support beyond the initial installation?
Yes. SDATS provides comprehensive ongoing support including technical system maintenance, operational monitoring, staff training, and organizational change management throughout the lifecycle of the deployment.
