In the context of aviation and aerospace, "ADS" typically stands for "Automatic Dependent Surveillance."

Automatic Dependent Surveillance (ADS) is a type of surveillance system used in aviation to track the position of aircraft. It works by automatically transmitting the aircraft's location and other relevant data to air traffic control and other nearby aircraft, using a combination of GPS and datalink technologies.

ADS-automation, therefore, refers to the automation of this surveillance process, which enables air traffic control to track aircraft more accurately and efficiently. This can help to improve safety, reduce separation distances between aircraft, and increase overall airspace capacity.

There are several types of ADS systems, including:

1. ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast): This is a specific type of ADS that broadcasts an aircraft's location and other data to nearby aircraft and air traffic control.
2. ADS-C (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract): This type of ADS is used for aircraft position reporting and is typically used in oceanic and remote areas where radar coverage is limited.

ADS-automation plays a critical role in modern air traffic management, as it enables more efficient and safe management of air traffic, particularly in high-density airspace.