AMEA takes off: Europe's multilink datalink demonstrator enters its operational phase
Building on ESMA, AMEA brings aircraft manufacturers, communication service providers, airlines and ANSPs together to demonstrate multilink datalink in daily operations over four years.
Photo: NASA
AMEA, ATN Multilink Expansion in European Airspace, started on 1 October 2025. Over four years, the consortium will demonstrate that several air-ground communication links can work together in daily operations, so that a datalink message always finds its way between pilots and controllers.
Why multilink
Today's air traffic services rely on VDL Mode 2, a terrestrial datalink that faces growing congestion in European airspace. SESAR research recommended a multilink infrastructure in which next-generation technologies complement existing links through seamless switching. AMEA takes this recommendation to operations: it integrates next-generation SATCOM services alongside VDL Mode 2 in an ATN/OSI configuration, and implements the next generation of secure ATN/IPS networks.
Building on ESMA
AMEA is the direct operational extension of ESMA, the SESAR demonstrator that validated initial Iris SATCOM and IPS capabilities in support of SESAR Solution #109, air traffic services datalink using SatCom Class B. Where ESMA proved the technology, AMEA moves to large-scale demonstration.
Two demonstrations, one flight campaign
- Multilink ATN/OSI: extend the ESMA baseline with multilink capabilities in aircraft avionics and ground ATM networks, across several communication service providers, and measure resilience and performance with high volumes of data exchange.
- ATN/IPS: implement and validate the next-generation IP-based network, with security as the first requirement.
During the flight campaign, aircraft from partner airlines will fly ATS B1 and B2 services in normal commercial operations across European airspace, until the end of the project in September 2029.
A consortium across the aviation value chain
Coordinated by Collins Aerospace, the consortium brings together aircraft manufacturers, avionics suppliers, communication service providers, airlines, air navigation service providers and EUROCONTROL. The European Union contributes EUR 26.9 million through the Connecting Europe Facility.
AMEA is co-funded by the European Union under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Transport, grant agreement No 101233037), managed by CINEA, and supported by the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking.