Tern Systems
Tern Systems ehf. is an Iceland-based private software company that designs and builds Air Traffic Management (ATM) solutions — POLARIS, ORION, ARIES, and NEXUS — for civil and defense aviation authorities in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersKópavogur, Iceland
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Tern Systems does
Tern Systems ehf. is an Iceland-headquartered, privately held software company that designs and builds Air Traffic Management (ATM) solutions for civil and defense aviation authorities worldwide. With nearly three decades of cumulative operational deployments and a current headcount of 51–100, Tern maintains a portfolio of four core products: the POLARIS ATM System for en-route and terminal maneuvering area operations (recently entered operational service as a backup system for HungaroControl); the ORION Simulator & Training suite for controller education; the ARIES Tower Systems family providing aerodrome control and weather integration (deployed at Korean Airports Corporation since 2020); and the NEXUS Information System for aeronautical messaging and flight data (primary system for multiple ANSPs since 2006). The technology stack is positioned around cloud-native architecture, automation, cybersecurity (ISO 27001:2022 certified), and real-time data sharing, and the company is now investing in AI-based controller-assist functionality validated through the SESAR 3 JU AWARE project, which demonstrated a 42% capacity uplift.
Tern Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tern Systems
- Legal name
- Tern Systems ehf.
- Website
- https://tern.is
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Tern Systems ehf. is an Iceland-based private software company that designs and builds Air Traffic Management (ATM) solutions — POLARIS, ORION, ARIES, and NEXUS — for civil and defense aviation authorities in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tern Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Air Traffic Management Software
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) & Avionics Computing Platforms (IMABAFAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Dynamic Message Signs & Traveler Information Systems (DMS/511, VMS/CMS) (TLAJACAH), Surveillance & Identification Avionics (ADS-B/Transponders/TCAS) (IMABAFAM)
Keywords
Where Tern Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kópavogur
- HQ country
- Iceland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Tern Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- ATM Software Licensing & Deployment: Enterprise software licensing model for Air Traffic Management systems. Systems are deployed and maintained globally with ongoing support relationships.
- Professional Services: Implementation, integration, training, and ongoing technical support services for ATM systems deployments.
- Research & Innovation Projects: EU-funded research projects under Horizon Europe/SESAR JU contributing to next-generation ATM development, including €21M NOMAD project leadership.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Enterprise custom solutions |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Tern Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tern Systems designs and builds Air Traffic Management (ATM) software solutions for Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs). Its portfolio includes the POLARIS ATM System for en-route and terminal operations, ORION Simulator & Training suite, ARIES Tower Systems for aerodrome control, and NEXUS Information System for aeronautical messaging and flight data. The company delivers systems, implementation, and lifecycle support to aviation authorities globally.
Product overview
Tern Systems designs and builds Air Traffic Management software solutions with a portfolio of four integrated products. Polaris ATM System serves as the core air traffic management platform for en-route and terminal operations. Orion Simulator & Training provides realistic training environments for controllers. Aries Tower Systems handles airport tower operations with weather integration. Nexus Information System delivers aeronautical messaging and flight data services. The company has nearly 30 years of successful deliveries across Europe, Asia, and Africa, with headquarters in Iceland and offices in Hungary and Poland.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Polaris: Air Traffic Management (ATM) system - currently in development and deployed as operational backup at HungaroControl
- Orion
- ARIES
- NEXUS
Products and services
- Polaris ATM System Comprehensive Air Traffic Management system for en-route and terminal maneuvering area operations. Currently in development and deployed as operational backup at HungaroControl.
- Orion Simulator & Training
Quantifiable outcome
- 42% increase in controller capacity (53 to 75 flights per hour) with AI support across complexity scenarios
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Tern Systems
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Tern Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature5 records
Tern Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SESAR Joint UndertakingcoreTern Systems transitioned to full member of SESAR Joint Undertaking, joining 59 organizations to advance the Digital European Sky initiative. This membership positions Tern Systems at the forefront of European ATM modernization efforts and provides access to major research funding including the €21M NOMAD project.
- NOMAD Consortium (17 European partners)coreTern Systems leads the NOMAD project (Next-Gen Service Oriented Modular ATM Development for Enroute & TMA) with €21M funding from SESAR JU under Horizon Europe. Project aims to develop cloud-based, automated, and cyber-secure next-generation ATM platform targeting TRL 6.
- AWARE Project ConsortiumcoreSESAR 3 JU exploratory research project validating AI assistant for air traffic controllers. Tern Systems participated in validation at Malmö Area Control Centre testing AI support enabling 42% capacity increase. Project involves 16 air traffic controllers from four ANSPs.
- HungaroControlcoreMulti-year partnership with Hungarian Air Navigation Service Provider. Polaris ATM system entered operational service as backup system in 2025 following successful Site Acceptance Test. Long-standing collaboration in ATM software development and deployment.
- AvinorminorNorwegian Air Navigation Service Provider and new member of SESAR JU alongside Tern Systems, expanding the partnership's geographic reach in Northern Europe.
- Nav CanadaminorCanadian Air Navigation Service Provider and new member of SESAR JU alongside Tern Systems, bringing North American expertise to the European ATM initiative.
- AvianscorePartnership for POLARIS ATM system development. Avians-logo displayed as partnered solution provider on Tern Systems website.
- EASATminorPartnered since 2006 to provide Aeronautical Messaging System and Radio Operators Flight Data System solutions.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Tern Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- SITA: Aviation IT and communications specialist serving airlines, airports, and ANSPs with networking, messaging, and data exchange services. Adjacent player overlapping with NEXUS-style aeronautical messaging and flight data offerings.
Broad incumbents
- Thales: Global aerospace and defense prime with a leading air traffic management franchise (TopSky, Eurocat). Largest primary ATM vendor in Europe and a benchmark competitor for any ANSP primary system tender where Tern's Polaris could bid.
- Honeywell Aerospace: Global aerospace prime with an air traffic management business including cockpit-to-ground data link and ATC solutions. Competes with Tern for adjacent ATC modernization programs and leverages substantially larger R&D and sales infrastructure.
- Indra: Spanish IT group with a sizeable ATM division (Indra Air Traffic) supplying primary en-route, tower, and simulation systems globally. Competes with Tern for ANSP modernization contracts and benefits from a much larger corporate footprint and defense portfolio.
- Leonardo: Italian aerospace and defense prime with an air traffic management and control systems portfolio. Competes with Tern for European ANSP modernization mandates and benefits from a large domestic and international defense customer base.
- Saab: Swedish defense and aerospace company offering ATM solutions (Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions) and integrated tower systems. Comparable to Tern in Northern European geography and SESAR involvement, with substantially larger scale.
Direct peers
- Frequentis: Austrian-headquartered specialist in air traffic control communications, information management, and tower systems. Direct competitive overlap with Tern's Polaris, Orion, ARIES, and NEXUS portfolio across the same ANSP customer base in Europe and globally.
- ALTYS Technologies: French specialist in ATM surveillance, multilateration, and air traffic management systems. Comparable niche specialist profile to Tern, focusing on smaller and emerging ANSP customers and competing in adjacent ATM product segments.
- Metron Aviation: US-based air traffic management software specialist (now part of Airbus) providing flow management, trajectory modeling, and ATM decision-support tools. Closely comparable to Tern in product scope (decision-support, modernization) and ANSP customer profile.
Regional players
- NATS: UK-based air navigation service provider that also develops and sells ATM software (e.g., digital tower, control tools). Acts both as a potential customer/distributor and a competitor in select European tenders.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Tern Systems social profiles
Digital presenceTern Systems compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Tern Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tern Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Tern Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tern Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Tern Systems
What does Tern Systems do?
Tern Systems designs and builds Air Traffic Management (ATM) software solutions for Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs). Its portfolio includes the POLARIS ATM System for en-route and terminal operations, ORION Simulator & Training suite, ARIES Tower Systems for aerodrome control, and NEXUS Information System for aeronautical messaging and flight data. The company delivers systems, implementation, and lifecycle support to aviation authorities globally.
Is Tern Systems a public or private company?
Tern Systems is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Tern Systems founded?
Tern Systems was founded in 2004. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Tern Systems based?
Tern Systems is headquartered in Kópavogur, Iceland, in the Europe region.
How does Tern Systems make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. ATM Software Licensing & Deployment is the primary driver. The others are professional Services and research & Innovation Projects.
Who are Tern Systems's main competitors?
SITA is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Thales, Honeywell Aerospace, Indra, Leonardo and Saab. Direct peers are Frequentis, ALTYS Technologies and Metron Aviation. NATS is listed as a regional player.
Does Tern Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tern Systems.
What industry is Tern Systems in?
Tern Systems's product category is Air Traffic Management Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAFAI, Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) & Avionics Computing Platforms, with a secondary code of TLAJACAH, Dynamic Message Signs & Traveler Information Systems (DMS/511, VMS/CMS). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.