Setting Up of the Command and Control Center at TSAW

When the task of Setting up an Air traffic Control center was given to us, It was an exciting moment. Filled with cheer and joyful conversation about all the possible things we can install to make the traffic control at par with the aviation industry, the team was so excited. However, I could sense the challenges as well with the planning of the Command Center. Being a startup, we must justify every penny spent with its expected returns. And an ambitious project like the Command center can very fast turn into a capital-intensive one. Originally planned as a part of the Operations Department project, slowly as it took shape It was cast as a different department. With its operators, admins, and authorized personnel.

Ensuring the requirements to be met was crucial to be covered under the budget. Together with ambiance and giving it the feel of a real Air Traffic control center was a huge task. Remembering in one of the team discussions Kishan came up with the name ‘Houston’, as from the popular media, Houston is the name of the city in the USA, where NASA’s Command Center is located, and our ambitions were no way lower than NASA. So getting the monitors, video wall, Computer consoles, furniture, Stationary, manuals, and all the small bits that were required to make it as real as it gets. When I started on the VATSIM network, the virtual live air traffic control, I did not expect that one day I would use the experience to set it up for real. It was a huge collaborative effort from different teams from the Electronics and Software Department, they developed customized in-house solutions to get the features. All the software for Monitoring, controlling, and analyzing the drones is developed by the software team. Further, the electronics team set up the video wall controllers and hardware equipment like emergency alarm systems.

It will be a central hub where data and commands are received, processed, and disseminated to relevant ground handlers just like an air traffic controller. It acts as a control room for overseeing operations and responding to events as they unfold. The CCC uses in-house developed cloud software that connect directly to the drone's flight controllers and enables remote access. Integrating inputs from different sources, such as sensors, personnel reports, and external data feeds, to provide a comprehensive view of the situation. It enables effective coordination between various teams and departments involved in the operation.

Real-time updates, analysis, and situational awareness which are key to decision-makers will be visible on the various screens on overhead monitors as well as on laptop screens. It helps them assess risks, allocate resources efficiently, and respond promptly to changing circumstances. While undergoing trials, which means it's being tested and evaluated to ensure its functionality, reliability, and effectiveness before full implementation. During this phase, adjustments may be made based on feedback and performance evaluations. With improved operational efficiency, faster response times, enhanced situational awareness, and better coordination of resources the benefits contribute to overall organizational effectiveness and mission success. In the industry Command Centers are commonly used such as in emergency management, military operations, transportation systems, and utility infrastructure. While humans may not be directly involved in the day-to-day operations of a level 4 autonomous UAV, they still play a crucial role in monitoring, supervising, and intervening when necessary to ensure safety, efficiency, and effectiveness.