Jamaica Looks to ADS-B as Radar Replacement

Era Systems last month announced it has been selected to provide an automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) system to the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA). The JCAA will use the ADS-B network for operational testing in preparation for eventual nationwide, wide-area multilateration and ADS-B deployment. With the country’s current radars becoming increasingly expensive to operate and maintain, the JCAA conducted studies on replacement technologies and determined that next-generation multilateration and ADS-B technologies would offer cost advantages and performance benefits. Aircraft equipped with ADS-B avionics constantly and automatically transmit information, including speed, altitude, identification and direction of flight to other ADS-B aircraft, as well as to ATC.