The project aims to strengthens the resilience, continuity and performance of European communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) by developing, integrating and validating next-generation positioning, navigation and timing (PNT). The project aims to enable a more robust PNT and CNS evolution for the Digital European Sky, enabling safer, more efficient and greener operations across all phases of flight.
AGNES delivers five complementary solutions that provide accuracy, integrity and graceful degradation in the presence of interference or outages, while remaining interoperable with PBN and legacy systems: dual-frequency multi-constellation (DFMC) ground-based augmentation system (GBAS); L-band digital aeronautical communications system (LDACS)-based navigation; enhanced distance measuring equipment (DME); distance measuring equipment (DME)/inertial reference system (IRS) multi-sensor navigation; and global navigation satellite system (GNSS)/inertial reference system (IRS) integration.These solutions leverage EGNSS, terrestrial ranging and inertial technologies to ensure high availability and robustness.
The approach combines new algorithms, avionics and ground prototypes with integrated simulations, hardware-in-the-loop and flight trials at representative environments (en-route, terminal and airport, as well as rotorcraft and Innovative Air Mobility use cases). Results will include validated performance models, safety and security assessments, procedures, and a deployment roadmap with cost-benefit evidence and standardisation inputs to ICAO and EUROCAE.
By reinforcing the PNT backbone of the ATM system, AGNES will increase capacity and continuity in congested areas, improve predictability and access in challenging locations and weather, and reduce environmental impact through more precise, flexible and fuel-efficient trajectories. The project will accelerate market uptake by demonstrating feasible upgrade paths for aircraft and ground infrastructure and by engaging regulators, ANSPs, industry and operators throughout the project.
