Marshall was initiated by the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom to identify and evaluate options for the future delivery of their military terminal Air Traffic Management (ATM) capability, which ensures that all flights are safely and efficiently managed and sequenced for take-off and landing. ATM for the “en-route” flight phase is provided under a separate contract with NATS.
On 29 October 2014, MOD announced the signature of a contract with Aquila Air Traffic Management Services Ltd to deliver Marshall.

The Marshall contract provides ATM at all MOD-operated airfields and flying ranges in the UK and overseas for a period of 22 years. It will also provide an out-of-area ATM capability in support of expeditionary air operations.

Why is it needed…

The current military ATM infrastructure has provided exceptional service over many years, but, in many cases, is approaching obsolescence and will soon be non-compliant with mandatory international regulations. It has now become very costly to support. Furthermore, much of the equipment does not meet MOD’s availability requirements and does not benefit from commonly accepted ATM efficiency and safety tools.

Marshall will transform the current capability into a modern, efficient and world class ATM service.
NATS manages air traffic control services at 15 UK airports and in Gibraltar, and en-route air traffic services for civil and military aircraft flying through UK airspace. Thales UK is one of the world’s largest suppliers of ATM systems and services and is an established UK prime systems integrator with a proven track record of delivering large and complex programmes.

Marshall is a UK Ministry of Defence project that will deliver a sustainable Military Terminal Air Traffic Management capability, enabling air vehicles to operate safely and effectively with tactical freedom, in all weather conditions and in any environment, within the UK Areas of Responsibility, including permanent overseas airfields, and in support of UK and coalition expeditionary forces worldwide.