Which statement correctly describes ADS-B and its impact on ATC surveillance?

Which statement correctly describes ADS-B and its impact on ATC surveillance?

• A. Automatic Surveillance and Reporting - Broadcast; aircraft determine position via GNSS and broadcast it; ATC can track more accurately and reduce reliance on radar.
• B. Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast; aircraft determine position via GNSS and broadcast it; ATC can track more accurately and reduce reliance on radar.
• C. Automatic Data Surveillance - Broadcast; aircraft determine position via GNSS but do not broadcast it.
• D. Satellite-based surveillance that replaces radar entirely.

Answer: (B)

ADS-B works by the aircraft using GNSS to determine its own position and then broadcasting that position along with other data to air traffic control and to other aircraft. Because the surveillance information comes directly from the aircraft, ATC can track targets more accurately and rely less on ground-based radar. This improves situational awareness, especially in areas where radar coverage is limited, while still allowing radar to remain as a backup or supplement where needed. The other descriptions are not correct: one uses an incorrect expansion of the acronym and misses the essential “dependent” and broadcast aspects; another mislabels the term entirely; and the idea that ADS-B replaces radar entirely is not accurate, since radar remains in use in many regions and ADS-B often complements it.

ADS-B works by the aircraft using GNSS to determine its own position and then broadcasting that position along with other data to air traffic control and to other aircraft. Because the surveillance information comes directly from the aircraft, ATC can track targets more accurately and rely less on ground-based radar. This improves situational awareness, especially in areas where radar coverage is limited, while still allowing radar to remain as a backup or supplement where needed.

The other descriptions are not correct: one uses an incorrect expansion of the acronym and misses the essential “dependent” and broadcast aspects; another mislabels the term entirely; and the idea that ADS-B replaces radar entirely is not accurate, since radar remains in use in many regions and ADS-B often complements it.