What is ground infrastructure?
Ground infrastructure refers to the land-based systems and technologies that support both manned and unmanned aircraft to operate safely and efficiently in the same volume of airspace.
These systems help different types of aircraft, including drones and traditional aircraft, to be visible to each other and to air traffic personnel.
As airspace becomes busier and more complex, ground infrastructure will play an important role in maintaining safety and enabling new types of operations, such as Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights.
This work supports the Airspace Modernisation Strategy (CAP 1711B Edition 2) which sets out how UK airspace will evolve. Ground infrastructure is part of this wider transition towards a more integrated, data driven, and digitally connected airspace environment.
Why ground infrastructure matters
Ground infrastructure supports:
- Enhanced detection and tracking of aircraft
- Surveillance redundancy in GNSS degraded environments
- Enhanced situational awareness for the provision of air traffic services
- Operations in high-risk and complex airspace environments
Key components of ground infrastructure
Key components include:
- Receivers – devices that detect EC transmissions from aircraft.
- Electronic conspicuity beacons (formerly known as Electronic Obstruction Beacons) – 978 MHz transmitters that highlight aerial hazards in real time to all airspace users.
- TIS-B (Traffic Information Service–Broadcast) – a service that re-broadcasts traffic information to suitably equipped aircraft to enhance situational awareness.
- Flight information displays – ground-based display systems providing visual representation of aircraft within a defined area of interest for air traffic personnel.
- ADS-B OUT checks – method to verify that aircraft are transmitting accurate and reliable ADS-B OUT position data.
Ground Infrastructure Concept of Operations document
We are developing the first iteration of the Ground Infrastructure Concept of Operations document. This will describe how ground infrastructure could be used in the UK, and how different technologies and services may work together.
The document will evolve over time as we gather evidence, carry out testing, and engage with stakeholders.
Ground Infrastructure Survey
Between May and July 2025, we carried out a survey to understand industry capabilities and future needs. This insight will help shape future policy and the development of a ground infrastructure concept of operations document.
We plan to consult on this work at a later stage. We will continue to work with industry, operators, and other stakeholders as this work develops.
More information
- Future of Flight Action Plan
- Airspace Modernisation Strategy
- EC Technical Concept of Operations
- Information on EC Devices CAP1391
- Information on the licensing and conditions of use of the 978 MHz frequency onboard unmanned aircraft systems.
- Information on Detect and Avoid