Airservices Australia is engaging in research and development (R&D) activities designed at promoting the development of ADS-B products for the GA community.

A contract has been established with an Australian avionics manufacturer for the development of a transponder that transmits ADS-B messages. This device is aimed at the GA market.

Airservices Australia is also in discussion with other suppliers for the development of avionics that will receive ADS-B messages and provide an indication of proximate traffic to the pilot on cockpit displays.

The availability of ADS-B products for small regional aircraft and the GA community is seen as a key activity. Until this segment of the aviation market is provided with avionics that will support aircraft surveillance for ATC, the existing enroute radar network will have to be maintained.

For larger commercial air transport aircraft the transition to ADS-B is expected to occur as existing transponders are upgraded to meet the European mandates for Elementary and Enhanced surveillance.