SCAN project launched to advance HAO and STO integration

The SCAN project kicked off at the EUROCONTROL Innovation Hub (EIH) in July 2026, aiming to advance the integration of Higher Altitude Operations (HAO) and Space Transport Operations (STO) into the European ATM system.

The first hybrid project meeting gathered close to 50 experts from 20 partner organisations to launch this EUROCONTROL-led SESAR Joint Undertaking Wave 2 project.

The objective is to review, adapt and develop Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) infrastructure and services to ensure the safe integration of HAO and STO vehicles into the European ATM system.

SCAN will evaluate technical solutions, including non-barometric altimetry, to address the specific needs of HAO vehicles operating above FL600.

The project will bring together HAO operators, conventional airspace users, air navigation service providers (ANSPs), industry and aviation authorities to propose future CNS capabilities and conduct test flight trials, align expectations on benefits and operational acceptance of the proposed CNS solutions, and support standardisation and regulatory framework evolution to enable European initiatives in HAO

More about SCAN

The ECHO, ECHO 2 and SCAN projects have received funding from the SESAR Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon Europe innovation programme under grant agreements No 890417, No 101114697 and No 101288550.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or SESAR Joint Undertaking. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.