scope:

Scope and Regulatory Framework

The material contained in all parts of this Defence Standard sets out the requirements for System Safety and Functional Performance of Military Terminal Air Traffic Services (ATS) Systems, ashore and afloat and including ATS elements of MOD Contractor Airfield and Range Air Control systems. Currently, this scope does not include Air Defence Systems performing ATS functions, 'Area' Air Traffic performed utilising NATS systems, or Air Traffic Services performed from Airborne platforms. The intention to incorporate any expansion in scope will be subject to consultation and review by MAA in due course. Application of the appropriate contents within this Defence Standard, should be made at the time of any significant change to an ATS System Design or Architecture. The scope of the contents of this Defence Standard covers Safety, Performance and Regulatory aspects.

The legal framework for regulatory powers of the Military Aviation Authority are vested in the Secretary of State, with specific exclusions stated in both EU Regulations and the UK Air Navigation Order. Consequently, provisions within ICAO, EU and UK Air Navigation Order Regulation are not directly legally applicable to Military ATS Systems, although Military ATS Systems should be demonstrably at least equivalent in Safety and Performance. More specifically, 'an appropriate level of compliance with GATM regulations should be sought where non-compliance would impose an unacceptable level of restriction on Military operations or training, or lead to restricted access to airspace and conflict with European or UK courts of law'. Military ATS Systems are Regulated by the Military Aviation Authority.

This Part 1 covers Generic references to linked regulatory documentation, along with aspects common to all other parts within this Defence Standard, such as Installation Standards and Software Assurance Levels, along with Standards hierarchies and Risk Classification Schema. 

At this time, the Military Aviation Regulatory Document Set (MARDS) is undergoing a complete re-write into MAA Regulatory Publications (MRP). Subsequently, there are ongoing developments in the concept of Regulations and Release-to-Service in respect of ATS equipment, which may define more closely the proposed processes and interactions with the Military Aviation Authority.

Other Safety Organisational links exist to the Land Systems Safety Office (LSSO) and the Ship Safety Management Office (SSMO).