Air Traffic Control/Approach/Landing System (ATCALS)
Abstract
To support the Air Force worldwide flying mission, this program element funds research, development and management of new air traffic control surveillance, positioning, and precision approach landing systems. When applicable, this includes joint efforts with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and coordination with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). FY11 funding focuses on three main efforts as follows: Deployable Instrument Landing System (D-ILS). This effort develops a deployable version of the fixed base ILS which is the standard precision approach and landing system for conducting Air Force contingency operations and humanitarian or domestic disaster restoral operations in adverse weather conditions. The current Air Force mobile precision approach radar system (PAR) used to support operations at deployed locations are highly limited and have a decreasing operational availability. Only about 16% of the mobile PAR systems, which were procured in the 1970s and are manpower intensive and logistically unsupportable, are operational. Development and deployment of D-ILS will support increased operations in the AOR, allow phase out of the currently obsolete legacy systems and will provide interoperability with the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF). FY11 funds continue development and deployment of the D-ILS. Related OPAF funds are in PE 0305114F. Deployable Radar Approach Control (D-RAPCON). D-RAPCON will replace the 40 year old AN/MPN-14K and AN/TPN-19 Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) and Operations Shelter (OPS) subsystems with state of the art digital systems. Modification and overhaul of the existing systems have proven to be ineffective due to diminishing manufacturing sources over the 40 years for some of the components and subsystems. The D-RAPCON will be used to provide both a terminal and enroute surveillance capability. The D-RAPCON may also be used with a precision approach landing system and control tower to provide a complete ATC capability. The D-RAPCON will support tactical military operations and also provide a capability to support domestic disaster relief. The new digital technology will also provide the capability to transmit and display surveillance radar data to/from other sensors and command and control nodes. The primary surveillance radar coverage (non-cooperative targets) is out to 60 nautical miles (nm)and the secondary surveillance radar coverage (cooperative targets) is out to 120 nm. FY11 funds will support the award of an engineering and manufacturing development contract for the D-RAPCON. Related OPAF funds are in PE 0305114F. Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen): This is an interagency effort designed to enable the transition from a ground infrastructure dominated Air Traffic Management capability for the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) to a capability that leverages advances in Performance Based Navigation (PBN), non-radar based surveillance services, transition from voice communications to digital data exchange, as well as advances in weather forecast delivery systems. NextGen will be built on key elements from existing programs and technologies and on new systems under development. FY11 efforts will focus on preparations leading to the implementation of new surveillance technologies including Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) and multilateration systems utilizing transponder technologies. Both will improve the display of aircraft position to air traffic managers and will enhance flight safety. Early efforts will focus on analysis and demonstration of technologies to enable the seamless integration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) into the NAS and the airspaces of other nations. Design studies and engineering analysis will be initiated to ensure ground system upgrades are coordinated and fielded concurrently with aircraft avionics capabilities that are acquired and integrated into Air Force aircraft and RPA; these efforts will run in close parallel with the Communication, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) program.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- 0305114F_7_3600_PB_2011
- Change Summary Explanation
- FY11 funds programmed for NextGen system development. Congressional add of $2.400M for Tactical Transponder Landing System (TTLS) FY11 D-RAPCON and D-ILS fully funded based on updated cost estimates and revised schedules
- Service Agency Name
- Air Force
Entities
Organizations
- United States Air Force
Related Documents
- Child Project: Air Traffic Control Systems
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Continues efforts to implement NextGen efficiencies and capabilities. Current efforts focus on integrating Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) in to the NAS and multlateration technol...
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Preparation of acquisition documentation and conduct of associated contract award tasks leading to FY11 contract award for new Deployable Radar Approach Control (D-RAPCON).
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Preparation of acquisition documentation and conduct of associated contract award tasks leading to FY10 contract award for new Deployable Instrument Landing System (D-ILS).
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: NATO Cooperative Airspace Initiative (CAI). The objective of this initiative is to develop and test cooperative airspace procedures for use during a renegade event.