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In the framework of the “Complete WAM” project over the course of two years, Czech company “ERA a.s.” (ERA), a partner of state joint stock company “Latvijas gaisa satiksme” (LGS) and a leader in the area of multilateration and multistatic surveillance technologies, will install 23 receiver/transmitter devices on existing mobile communication towers and various infrastructure sites throughout Latvia, build two independent central data processing stations, and integrate into the system receiver devices which are already in operation.

This will increase aircraft surveillance coverage in the Latvian air space, including at regional airports, thus improving the availability of secondary surveillance data and the level of safety.

LGS has concluded an agreement with ERA for the implementation of the “Complete WAM” project. The total cost of the project will be EUR 2.7 million. The Ministry of Defence will also be involved in the project, specifically in the building of four multilateration stations to improve coverage at Lielvārde airfield.

Already in the research phase, ERA made the necessary theoretical performance calculations, based on which 23 infrastructure sites were selected in various regions of Latvia.

The devices to be installed in the framework of the “Complete WAM” project are combined (WAM and ADS-B) application receivers and transmitters which will ensure that more precise data is obtained and processed throughout the Latvian air space.

The system will consist of five geographical regions (clusters) — Central, West, East, Liepāja and Lielvārde, thus ensuring independent capacity of all system elements.

The “Complete WAM” project entails purchasing the system, approving it at the manufacturer, installing it, verifying on site and preparing it for putting into commission. The equipment is scheduled to be delivered and installed in the spring and summer of 2022. Testing of the equipment and flight checks are planned for the autumn of 2022, and certification will take place in the 1st and 2nd quarter of 2023. ERA will deliver LGS a complete and operational system in December 2022 – 1st quarter of 2023.

The existing WAMRIX system together with the new “Complete WAM” system will provide double coverage of the Riga terminal control area (Riga TMA), expanded coverage of the western and eastern part of the Riga flight information region (Riga FIR), coverage of the Liepāja airport region and the Lielvārde military airfield, as well as at other regional airports as necessary.

WAM (Wide Area Multilateration) is an aircraft surveillance technology. By using several land-based receiver-transmitter stations, it requests and receives signals from aircraft transponders to mathematically calculate the location and altitude of the airplane, as well as other parameters.

In the framework of the project, 6 existing receivers in the central region will be integrated into the system along with 23 new stations, and two independent geographically placed/distributed central data processing stations (CPS1, CPS2) will be installed. This is a unique solution being the first WAM system with this type of distributed solution for continuously providing data to air traffic controllers 24/7.

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