b'OPERATIONSBOW49 A digital tower control center, where images from the cameras are streamed in real-time on a bank of large monitors and; A powerful fiber-optic network that connects the camera tower and remote center.Those three elements, along with software, central processing units and other technology combine to create an immersive, real-time digital view of the airfield.Shahriar Sami, program manager with Frequentis, describes the remote digital tower as an optical surveillance system, with camera sensors that provide the necessary visual information (out-of-the-window view) to relevant users. Soon, it will be used for both active air traffic control and controller training. Sami notes that other use cases forSHAHRIAR SAMIdigital towers include, but are not limited to, Advanced Air Mobility and airport operations.Safety, Savings and Situational AwarenessThe new equipment at BOW doesnt just look different; it operates differently, too. A remote digital tower is a completely different technology from a traditional air traffic control tower, Swafford explains. In a traditional tower, controllers sit on top of a building, brainstorming session about that problem, one controller asked,looking out glass windows with their eyes to identify aircraft that Why dont we train our own controllers? And further explorationare communicating with them on the radio. Theres really not a lot followed. We thought if we could create a control tower operatorof technology to it, he says.school, we could help out with the problem overall, help ourIn contrast, remote digital towers provide a much more community and help solve our own staffing issues, Helms says. controlled environment thanks to technology that allows for a multitude of visual enhancements. Swafford notes that they Transformative Technology offer clear safety, efficiency and cost advantagesbenefits that While grappling with these overlapping issues, Helms had been closelyare not lost on Helms or the controllers at BOW. The camera following remote digital tower developments at Leesburg Executivetower is strategically sited to capture all of the critical airspace, Airport (JYO) in Virginia and Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL),runway traffic patterns and other movement areas on the airfield. two pilot programs that have since ended. The technology is stillThe images they capture are streamed to 15 55-inch screens navigating the certification and approval process for use in the Nationalarranged in a 130-degree arc that displays 360 degrees of view. Airspace System under the federal contract tower program. There is no activity taking place behind the controllers, Helms I was really interested in remote digital tower technologyexplains. Now, they just have to turn their head to the left or because there was no opportunity for us to replace our agingright to look behind them. Thats a huge benefit, because it tower, Helms explains. We needed a different solution. He andenhances safety by keeping their attention on the center of the his team started looking into the option more seriously, and evenairfield where the primary traffic activity is taking place. asked about the technology during contract renewal discussionsIntegrated safety features provide controllers with an with Hanson Professional Services Inc., the airports engineeringaugmented reality interface. For example, the system can consultant for 10-plus years. highlight active runways, overlay extended center lines and One person who especially rose to themowing areas, and place bounding boxes around live aircraft challenge was Blake Swafford, the Hansonwith data using ADS-B tagsincluding tail numbers, speed, vice president who ultimately served asrange and altitude. Thermal cameras are able to pick up heat project manager for the recent installationsignatures of aircraft in fog or rain, and other cameras can of BOWs remote digital tower. The cutting- detect pixel movements in the sky not visible to the human eye. edge facility, powered by technology fromSami says that these and other features provide controllers with Frequentis, has three primary components: BLAKE SWAFFORD enhanced situational awareness, which increases safety andA 76-foot monopole/lattice tower thatreduces their workload and stress.holds an array of 360-degree cameras with a variety of pan- At BOW, the remote tower control center is located about tilt-zoom and thermal capabilities; 600 feet from the camera array in a ground-level buildingthe AirportImprovement.comNovember | December 2025'