CIVIL-MILITARY INTEROPERABILITY IN AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Civil and military aviation are the two major categories of flying, using the same airspace in different needs. While the main purpose of military aviation is to maintain the national security, the civil contribution is indispensable to the global economy. Both users need access to airspace, therefore zones should only be reserved permanently to any of them when it is absolutely necessary. Efficient Air Traffic Management is inconcievable without an intimate connection of the two users. This paper signalises certain procedures and concepts specific to the air traffic management systems, which are meant to strengthen the partnership between military and civil aviation. Such notions as the Flexible Use of Airspace and the ATC coordination require an equal involvment of the two parties in order to establish a regulatory framework and to reduce the workload. The implementation of an integrated airspace needs predictability, clarity, and transparency for the benefit of all users. Where compatible ATC systems are in place, a good level of data exchange exists and coordination procedures are defined. However, their efficacy strongly relies on the level of compatibility and the communication capabilities between air traffic management technical systems.