September 26, 2010 - The FAA gave the green light for full-scale, nationwide deployment of the satellite-based surveillance system called Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) following its successful roll-out at four key sites. 

Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) is a cooperative surveillance technique for air traffic control and related applications being developed as part of the Next Generation Air Transportation System. Australia is the first country with full, nationwide ADS-B coverage.

The commissioning of the system means that air traffic controllers are now able to use the new technology to separate aircraft in areas with ADS-B coverage.

Controller screens in those areas will show aircraft tracked by radar as well as aircraft equipped with ADS-B avionics, which broadcast their positions.

The FAA is also using ADS-B technology to provide free weather and traffic information to operators who choose to equip their aircraft with avionics capable of receiving this data. This will allow pilots to view cockpit displays showing where they are in relation to other aircraft, bad weather and terrain. They will also receive flight information such as temporary flight restrictions to help them plan safe, more efficient routes.

The FAA also commissioned a surveillance system specifically designed to improve safety in remote, mountainous regions. That system, called Wide-Area Multilateration (WAM), improves safety, efficiency and capacity by allowing controllers to see aircraft not tracked by radar due to rugged terrain. WAM, which is being used in Colorado and Alaska, provides surveillance through a network of small sensors deployed in remote areas. WAM will serve as a backup to ADS-B in the event of a GPS outage in high value airspace. It will also serve as an additional source for traffic broadcasts to aircraft equipped with proper avionics.