Air Traffic Control, Approach, and 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 and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). ATCALS funding focuses on three main efforts as follows: Deployable Instrument Landing System (D-ILS). This effort develops a deployable Category I (200ft decision height/2400ft runway visual range) ILS with remote monitoring and maintenance capabilities. D-ILS will provide precision approach capability in adverse weather conditions for contingency operations and humanitarian or disaster relief operations. D-ILS will replace the current Air Force mobile Precision Approach Radar (PAR) system used to support operations at deployed locations which were procured in the 1970s, are manpower intensive, and logistically unsupportable. On average, only 18% (three of 17 systems) of the mobile PAR systems are operational on a daily basis. Development and deployment of D-ILS will support increased operations in the area of responsibility, allow phase out of the currently obsolete legacy systems and provide interoperability with the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF). FY14 funds complete engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) under the EMD contract awarded in Aug 11. Due to a contractor protest, the start of EMD execution was delayed until Dec 11. EMD execution includes assembling two EMD pre-production units for test and evaluation. D-ILS Milestone C is scheduled for FY14. Related OPAF funds are in program element (PE) 0305114F (Weapon System Code 833010). 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 has proven to be ineffective due to diminishing manufacturing sources. The D-RAPCON will be used to provide both a terminal and enroute surveillance capability. The D-RAPCON will also be used with the D-ILS and a fixed or mobile control tower to provide a complete air traffic control capability. The D-RAPCON will support tactical military and worldwide humanitarian operations and also provide a capability to support domestic disaster relief. 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. FY14 funds continue EMD efforts which include the completion of two pre-production systems and the start of contractor testing. Related OPAF funds are in PE 0305114F (Weapon System Code 833010). 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, and transition from voice communications to digital data exchange. Per Deputy Secretary of Defense direction, the Air Force is the DoD lead Service for NextGen implementation and architecture development. NextGen will be built on key elements from existing programs and technologies and on new systems under development. As these technologies and architectures mature, ground system upgrades will be coordinated and fielded concurrently with aircraft avionics capabilities that are acquired and integrated into Air Force aircraft (manned and unmanned). These efforts will also run in close parallel with the Communication, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) program in PE 0305099F. FY14 efforts will continue proof of concept demonstrations and analysis leading to Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Ground Based Sense and Avoid (GBSAA), RPA Pilot/Controller Communications, and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) ground system implementation. These efforts will improve the display of aircraft position to air traffic controllers, enhance flight safety, and support the seamless integration of RPAs into the National Airspace System and the airspaces of other nations. FY14 funding also begins development/test of new Instrument Procedures Development System (IPDS) software (joint effort with FAA and Services); upgrade of surveillance radar and automation systems with new capabilities such as Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe; and continues NextGen Lead Service Office efforts which include preparation of NextGen Concept of Operations and Implementation Plans, PBN and ADS-B Benefits/Business Cases, a DoD Integrated Work Plan, RPA GBSAA Engagement Plan, and a DoD NextGen Enterprise Architecture Strategic Roadmap. Activities also include studies and analysis to support both current program planning and execution and future program planning. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development, these budget activities include development efforts to upgrade systems currently fielded or has approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2014
• Source ID: 0305114F_7_3600_PB_2014
• Change Summary Explanation: FY14 funding adjustment reflects requested funds for D-RAPCON to fully fund development which will lead to a Milestone C in FY16.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Air Platforms
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Air Force
• Air Traffic
• Air Transportation
• Aircrafts
• Contracts
• Cost Analysis
• Digital Data
• Engineering
• Ground Control Stations
• Manufacturing
• Navigation
• Production
• Sense And Avoid Systems
• Surveillance Radar
• Test And Evaluation
• Wind Turbines

Readers

• Aviation Safety and Air Traffic Management
• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.

Technology Areas

• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs
• Space