This Implementation Project (IP) upgrades the existing data link avionics for ATN (Aeronautical Telecommunication Network) B1 Services to “best in class” avionics configuration for Lufthansa (LH) group and Air France group aircraft. These configurations are considered as the set of airborne equipment to comply with the ATN/Very High Frequency Data Link (VDL) 2 performance expectations in multi-frequency (MF) environment following ELSA (Enhanced Large Scale ATN deployment) recommendations as identified in Annex 2 of the Data Link Services (DLS) Recovery Plan: ELSA Re. IDs Avionics 01 and 02.

Testing of avionics software will be performed on vendor side.

For all LH Group aircraft and almost all Air France Group the DLS avionics are already installed in on-board systems of the aircraft. The Implementation Project only includes the efforts for upgrading the avionics recommended by ELSA study.

Equipping will be only done, when the technical specifications of the technology are validated. Moreover, the scope of the project (fleet) should be impacted by pending decisions referring to regulations (EU Regulation 29/2009; Exemption Policy).

In addition, the IP will ensure that these avionics will be upgraded, if necessary, to comply with the upcoming Revision C of Eurocae Document (ED)-92 which is currently under development to reflect ELSA’s “best in class” testing.