GALILEO
- (Photo: European Commission)
The planned EU satellite navigation system, aimed at rivalling the American GPS system.
A key part of the EU’s bid to take over Eurocontrol, providing the next generation of air traffic control systems.
Also, a key part of the “European Defence Identity”. Military aircraft rely on satellite navigation, and current generation “smart” bombs also rely on this technology for precision targeting information.
Although GALILEO replicates the US system, which is freely available to all users world-wide, the EU wants its own independent system to reduce reliance on the US. It has started co-operating with China on this issue.
Notes
The European Space Agency, ESA, is also participating in the development of GALILEO.Links
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/......transport/galileo/index_en.htm