February 26, 2012 - Northrop Grumman's Europe-based air traffic management subsidiary, Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems, has undergone a successful Site Acceptance Test (SAT) for the NOVA 9000 Electronic Flight Strip System (EFSS) at the Prague Ruzyne International Airport, Czech Republic. This SAT is a significant milestone in the conversion of Prague's air traffic control tower operations from traditional paper strips to an integrated EFSS. 

The contract encompasses three separate systems; the operational EFSS, a test system and a simulator system. Since inception of the initial contract on Oct. 5, 2010, the former two systems have been delivered to the Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic.  

The simulator system is with Park Air Systems for software testing in preparation for the second SAT. The Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic has participated in factory training, with project completion and site training scheduled for October 2012.

"In order to enhance further and improve the efficiency at our air traffic control tower, and to fully benefit from the potential of our existing NOVA 9000 Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System, we decided to integrate an EFSS in the tower. Our choice of supplier was Park Air Systems, as they have proven that they understand what we need and can deliver to schedule," said Mr. Jan Kubicek, project manager of the Planning and Development Division of the Air Navigation Service of the Czech Republic.

The close collaboration of Park Air Systems and the Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic dates back to the 1990s, with the delivery of a Surface Movement Guidance and Control System and the emergence of several consecutive European Union-financed research projects. Through further prototype testing and developments to system specifications, Park Air Systems demonstrated its competence and obtained the contract to deliver an operational integrated EFSS. 

"Following an intense period of close collaboration with Air Navigation Service of the Czech Republic we have reached a vital step in establishing a modern and intuitive solution for managing aircraft traffic. Adopting the NOVA 9000 EFSS is a critical component to conquering the increasingly complex and safety-critical conditions of air traffic control at any airport," said Eldar Hauge, managing director of Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems in Norway. 

After a successful implementation, the integrated system will promote efficiency by simplifying the handling of flight data. The EFSS will also ease dissemination of flight data throughout the whole system, exchanging surveillance event information with the NOVA Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System and the air traffic control tower. As a result, the Prague air traffic control tower will benefit from a more comprehensive but simpler flight data management system.