Lithuanian airspace management in times of crisis and war
LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Aviacija; Karas; Krizė; Krizės; Lietuvos oro erdvė; Oro erdvė; Oro erdvės valdymas; Oro susiekimo kontrolė; Saugumas; Valdymas; Air traffic control; Airspace; Airspace Management; Aviation; Crisis; Lithuania; Lithuanian Airspace; Management; Security; War.
ENAnalysis of the present Lithuanian ASM system shows that there is a need to establish a more efficient and flexible ASM system in the country. The principal recommendations for a design of such a system can be summarised as follows: Establish an integrated civil/military ASM system with divided areas of responsibilities according to the conceptual principles of Regulator, Provider and Supervisor . One authority (the CAA of the Republic of Lithuania) shall fulfil the mission of providing ATM for all the users in peacetime. Responsibility for providing ATM during crisis or war, however, shall be transferred from the CAA to the Lithuanian Armed Forces (Air Force) at a specific time point defined by the Government. The organisation and use of airspace shall, wherever relevant, be based on the European Air Traffic Control Harmonisation and Integration Programme (EATCHIP) Concept of Flexible Use of Airspace (FUA Concept), which has been supported by the EUROCONTROL and NATO Committee for European Airspace Co-ordination and implemented in European countries. The implementation of the FUA Concept should start with the establishment of a national high-level airspace policy body. This body should be tasked with the reassessment of national airspace, the progressive establishment of new flexible airspace structures and the introduction of procedures for the allocation of these airspace structures on a day-by-day basis. Furthermore, for the daily allocation of the airspace structures and real-time civil/military co-ordination, a national Airspace Management Cell should be established. Develop a regulation on ATM for war, which would cover legal aspects of the airspace organisation, ASM, readiness, air surveillance and defence, command and control, co-ordination between the defence forces components, and co-operation with international forces. The Airspace Control (ASC) shall be based on NATO ATP-40 (B) Doctrine for Airspace Control in Times of Crisis and War. Development of the Lithuanian Airspace Control Means (ACM) in accordance with above-mentioned document is a keystone of success on the way of developing NATO compatible and interoperable communications, information systems and equipment for ASM in times of crisis and war, especially when defence of countrys sovereignty requires involvement of international forces. Improve surveillance of Lithuanian airspace, especially the low-level coverage. The Air Surveillance System shall continue developing through modernisation of air surveillance assets, procurement and integration of new ones, and co-operation with the Navy and civil ATC. Develop the Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) capability of both ground sensors and flying assets in order to fulfil an air surveillance mission in times of crisis and war. The IFF system should be compatible with the ICAO standards and interoperable with NATO to be able to interact with ATC and the NATINADS. Improve regional security and national air defence capability through cooperation with the Baltic states and internationally. The BALTNET should remain the chief tool for this development, and it should be integrated into the NATINADS and other early warning systems in the future. Establish a common AD policy and relevant doctrines. These regulations should meet the requirements for ASM, AD planning, employment of the AD assets, co-ordination and control of air defence set by NATO air doctrines. All defence forces components should integrate their weapons and detection systems into a co-ordinated entity. Therefore, a proper command and control system should be developed. [From the publication]
