NATS and DigyCorp’s ARC Digital Twin
Client Overview
National Air Traffic Services (NATS) is the leading provider of air traffic control services in the UK, handling over 2.5 million flights and 250 million passengers annually. As a key component of the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), NATS plays an essential role in ensuring the safe, efficient movement of aircraft through UK airspace. Beyond the UK, NATS offers services to airports, airlines, air traffic service providers, and governments across Europe, North America, and Asia. With increasing complexity in air traffic management (ATM), NATS sought innovative solutions to augment human controllers with artificial intelligence (AI) and automation.
Challenge
NATS, the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services, faced key challenges in improving research and prototyping cost efficiency, advancing environmental sustainability, and harnessing data more effectively in airspace management.
To support its ambition of becoming a global leader in innovative air traffic solutions, NATS needed a secure, scalable research platform capable of exploring the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing aviation safety.
At the same time, NATS aimed to strengthen its R&D capabilities, unlock access to UKRI funding, and pursue new commercial opportunities—previously constrained by technological limitations.
The Solution
Working in close partnership with the NATS team, DigyCorp successfully designed and delivered the Advanced Research and Collaboration (ARC) platform—now thecornerstone of NATS’ AI-focused Research and Development. ARC provides a secure, flexible environment for safe AI experimentation, enabling NATS to successfully compete for and deliver UKRI-funded projects, while strengthening its service innovation and expanding its commercial footprint.
DigyCorp’s expertise ensured a transparent and structured development process, with direct engagement from key stakeholders such as academics, AI engineers, and data scientists. The ARC platform was built with:
- Scalability & Flexibility: Using infrastructure-as-code, DigyCorp designed a modular andfuture-proof architecture to support evolving demands.
- Data Governance & Security: Sensitive data was categorized, and strictsecurity protocols were implemented to protect operational datasets
- Robust Validation: Comprehensive end-to-end testing and external validation ensured a stable and reliable platform
Outcomes
- Secured multiple UKRI grants.
- Enabled AI-driven aviation research in a safe and secure environment.
- Expanded NATS’ commercial reach, opening new revenue streams.
- Improved data security and governance, reinforcing trust in AI integration.
Client Feedback
“I wish to extend my sincere thanks to DigyCorp for delivering the ARC platform on time and within budget. ARC has already accelerated our AI research, enhanced our ability to secure UKRI funding, and strengthened collaboration across ourR&D programmes. DigyCorp’s contribution is helping to shape the future ofdata-driven, intelligent air traffic management in the UK”
Prof. Richard Cannon, Principal Researcher, AI and Digital Twins, NATS
Key Takeaways
- A secure and scalable Digital Twin is essential for AI-driven aviation research.
- Stakeholder collaboration ensures solutions are aligned with real-world needs.
- Rigorous data governance strengthens trust and security in AI applications.
- Future-proof architecture enables long-term growth and adaptability.
Key Metrics
100% on-time and within budget project delivery.
UKRI grants secured using the ARC platform.
Expanded commercial reach, unlocking new revenue opportunities
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