Transforming Today’s Closed Communications Network to Tomorrow’s Cross-Domain Aviation Internet

Historically communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) technologies were designed independently and operated in a siloed fashion. As 4D trajectory-based operations (TBO), connected aircraft, system wide information management (SWIM) systems, and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are fast becoming reality, an aviation internet, that will enable fast, safe, secure, and cost-effective information sharing across CNS and air traffic management (ATM) domains is emerging as a necessary approach to cope with the challenge of ATM in complex operational environments.The aviation internet will leverage commercial Internet Protocols (IP) and information security technologies to establish an internetworking capability across CNS functions for both manned and unmanned aircraft. Both United States and European Union have set the goal of implementing an interoperable IP-based aviation network around the 2028 timeframe. As more and more aviation stakeholders are eager to contribute to the aviation internet standardization and validation, a practical and systematic transition plan that will orchestrate aviation stakeholders’ efforts to achieve common mission objectives is crucial to the success of aviation internet transformation.In support of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) CNS strategy, we first take a systems engineering approach to investigate key practical aspects of the whole lifecycle of the aviation internet transition, including technical standards suitability, regulatory and policy support, acquisition and investment decision process, business model, cost/benefit, market offerings, necessary validation, and implementation activities. Based on the investigation, we then identify technical, regulatory, and programmatic risks and corresponding mitigations, and provide technical feedback to the standardization groups. Finally, we present an action plan for the aviation industry stakeholders to ensure a successful transition from today’s closed custom network to tomorrow’s IP-based aviation internet.