Articulate aircraft

has won a contract with the

's

to modernise their nationwide air-to-ground communications system that connects pilots with air-traffic controllers.

The contract, worth approximately $35 million, will help modernise the voice-communications systems and VHF/UHF radio facilities within the National Air Traffic Services communications infrastructure over the next seven years.

National Air Traffic Services provides air-traffic control services to aircraft flying in United Kingdom airspace and over the eastern part of the North Atlantic. The air-traffic control is provided from four United Kingdom-based centers in Swanwick, West Drayton, Prestwick and Manchester.

This year National Air Traffic Services will handle more than two million flights carrying over 180 million passengers. Northrop Grumman's work will facilitate the National Air Traffic Services' objective to handle all en route traffic from just two centers, namely Swanwick and Prestwick.

Northrop Grumman's solution is based on a voice communication control system (GAREX 220) and a multimode digital radio (PAE T6) developed by its Peterborough, UK-based Park Air Systems subsidiary.

The GAREX 220 control system, a fully digital switching system, provides air-traffic controllers with instant access to all available communications including media, radio, telephone and intercom. The PAE T6 digital radio provides surface-to-air analogue and digital communication in the VHF and UHF bands.