UK, July 2025

In a major strategic collaboration, ATG Airports, Siemens, and Parmley Graham are set to deliver one of the UK’s largest and most advanced PLC-based Aviation Ground Lighting (AGL) control system deployments at a leading international airport.

The new system, currently undergoing rigorous testing, is scheduled to go live in 12 months. Once deployed, it will enhance the safety, resilience, and efficiency of airfield operations at one of the busiest aviation hubs in the world.

ATG Airports, an internationally recognised specialist in airfield lighting solutions, is leading the design and validation of the high-performance automation infrastructure. With hundreds of aircraft movements each day, the airport requires exceptional levels of reliability, and the AGL system plays a vital role in guiding aircraft safely in all weather and visibility conditions, 24/7.

To meet this critical need, ATG Airports partnered with Siemens and Parmley Graham to deliver a state-of-the-art control solution built to perform under continuous operational pressure. The system architecture features Siemens S7-1500 dual CPU H-systems to handle AGL safety logic, ET200 CPUs for interfacing with field-level airfield devices, and dual-redundant Modbus TCP networks running over a robust Optical Transport Network (OTN) backbone. This highly available and secure communications setup ensures maximum uptime and performance continuity.

Parmley Graham, the UK’s largest independent supplier of factory automation equipment and a premier Siemens partner, played a central role in ensuring all components were delivered fully specified, compliant, and ready for integration. Their expert logistics and engineering support helped maintain tight project timelines and ensured seamless system build-up.

Siemens’ industrial automation technology – particularly the S7 series – was chosen for its reliability, scalability, and proven performance in mission-critical applications. Its modular design is ideally suited for the configuration-heavy and safety-critical demands of modern airport operations.

“This project exemplifies what can be achieved when you combine world-class technology with deep engineering expertise and a trusted delivery ecosystem,” said Chris McGuinness, Operations Director (Engineering) at ATG Airports. “Together with Siemens and Parmley Graham, we’re delivering a control system that sets a new standard for operational excellence in aviation.”

“Paul Dougal, Branch Manager at Parmley Graham, commented, “We’re proud to support this landmark project alongside ATG Airports and Siemens. As a long-standing Siemens-approved partner, Parmley Graham is committed to delivering the highest levels of technical support, product reliability, and logistical precision. This collaboration showcases the power of aligned engineering expertise and trusted partnerships to deliver robust, future-ready infrastructure for one of the UK’s most critical aviation environments.”

The full deployment is planned for mid-2026, following a comprehensive 12-month testing and validation phase. The project stands as a testament to innovation, collaboration, and the engineering excellence required to support the future of safe and efficient air travel.