Multistatic Dependent Surveillance / Multilateration for Frankfurt Airport

DEWITT, NY - December 6, 1999 - Airsys ATM has awarded a contract to Sensis Corporation for its multilateration based Multistatic Dependent Surveillance (MDS) System to be delivered to Flughafen Frankfurt/Main AG as part of the surface movement guidance system named TACSYS/CAPTS program. MDS is an airport surface and Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA) surveillance system that uses multilateration and transponder reply time-of-arrival processing to determine an aircraft's location and identification. The system offers DGPS-like accuracy, high update rates, and positive identification of aircraft via the Mode S or Mode 3/A transponder code.

The MDS system will cover the entire Frankfurt Airport surface -- runways, taxiways, ramp and gate areas. Benefits of an MDS system include improved airport safety, efficiency and capacity. System installation and testing is to be completed by March 2002. Airsys ATM and Sensis recently completed site acceptance testing for a MDS system at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport as part of the Federal Aviation Administration's Runway Incursion Reduction Program.

Airsys ATM is a joint company of Thomson-CSF Airsys and Siemens. It is the world's first full service provider dedicated to CNS/ATM systems and airport development. With over 40 years experience in the civil aviation market, Airsys ATM has installations in 160 countries worldwide and extensive experience of managing complete airport development projects. The product portfolio of Airsys ATM embraces ATC centres, primary and secondary surveillance radars, tower and ground movement control systems, navigational aids and voice communication systems. Airsys ATM has over 1600 employees with regional companies in France, UK, Germany, USA and Australia working with local partners to serve their respective regions.

Flughafen Frankfurt/Main AG (FAG), the Frankfurt Airport, company owns and operates one of the world's leading international air transportation hubs for passenger and cargo traffic. Besides managing the "airport city", FAG and its affiliated businesses provide a wide range of planning, design, operational and management activities at Frankfurt Airport and around the world. FAG also serves as a neutral partner to the world's major airlines: offering a complete package of aircraft, cargo, passenger and other ground handling services at Frankfurt and elsewhere.

With its staff of about 12,600 highly trained experts, FAG ranks as one of the largest airport services companies in the world and is an important source of innovative technology and know-how. With almost 42.7 million passengers in 1998, Frankfurt is continental Europe's busiest airport and ranks number seven in the world.