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3.4.8.5 VHF VOR
VORs are predominantly used for point-to-point navigation and not widely used for RNAV.
They will continue to be used in the introduction of a ‘total RNAV’ environment in
European airspace. The ECAC navigation strategy plans for a mandate for RNP RNAV in
2010 (although such a date is now unlikely to be met as an announcement of the
mandate is required 7 years in advance and it has not yet happened) and after this date
the VORs could be decommissioned. The navigation environment for IFR aircraft would
then be GNSS and DME/DME. Note that some recent work in EUROCONTROL has
questioned the feasibility of removing the VORs even after a mandate for RNP RNAV.
GA would continue to use VORs, since they would be unaffected by the RNP RNAV
mandate. Pressure on the spectrum from aeronautical mobile services (VDL Mode 4) may
also create pressure to bring forward the dates for decommissioning.
3.4.8.6 C-Band MLS
The incumbent ILS systems may still meet operational requirements. Alternatively, GNSS
Landing Systems may replace both ILS and MLS (although these are only capable of
supporting Category I operations at present, the introduction of Galileo and its
augmentation systems may increase this to Cat IIIB eventually).
3.4.8.7 L-Band DME
Although GNSS can provide a sole means of navigation, there is a requirement for a
ground-based navigation infrastructure to guard against the possibility of interference
(illegally through jamming, or from natural causes such as ionospheric effects) and for
safety/redundancy. DME meets the requirements for a relatively low-cost system. Future
replacement technologies are unlikely, given that DME/DME is the recommended solution
until 2020.
3.4.8.8 L-Band GNSS
None.
3.4.9 Allocation Sharing Opportunities
3.4.9.1 Loran-C
EUROCONTROL and ICAO maintain that certain States still require usage of the Loran-C
bands for aviation – until it can be demonstrated that aviation use has ceased, their
position is that the unique allocation to Loran should be retained.
3.4.9.2 NDB
Broadcasting and maritime mobile could both make use of additional in-band allocation,
particularly around the 255-283.5 kHz band. As ICAO has stated it wishes to maintain
allocations until 2020, these other uses would be subject to usage on a non-interference
basis. The possibility exists to extend the shared allocation frequencies beyond 283.5
kHz. Note that any sharing undertaken would also need to be co-ordinated with the
military, which use mobile beacons.
3.4.9.3 Marker Beacons
No opportunities.
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