SWIM consists of different layers. The layers that have been identified so far within the framework of SESAR are:

• Networks layer- physical pan-European wide area network along with the essential technical IT building blocks (e.g. transport protocols, firewalls, routers). PENS and Internet will likely be used.
• SWIM Technical Infrastructure layer containing technical (middleware) capabilities that a SWIM infrastructure will provide to all connected systems or that will be identified on those systems already providing such capabilities.
• ATM Applications layer containing the ATM application functionality that is SWIM-enabled. This encompasses both provider-side applications that furnish ATM service implementations, and consumer-side applications that make use of these remote services (through the infrastructure).