Air Traffic Control Systems

Abstract

To support the Air Force worldwide flying mission, this program element funds research, development, and management of new air traffic control communications, surveillance, positioning, and precision approach and 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 development funding currently focuses on the Next Generation (NextGen) Air Transportation System (ATS) and Deployable Radar Approach Control (D-RAPCON) programs as described below. NextGen ATS. 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 solid-state analogue voice communications to networked digital voice and data exchange. Per Deputy Secretary of Defense Direction (28 Dec 07 Memo), the Air Force is the DoD lead Service for NextGen ATS implementation and architecture development. NextGen ATS 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 are a subset of the Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) program in PE 0305099F and will involve aircraft avionics as well as fixed based and deployable air traffic control and landing systems. FY17 efforts will continue to use the Lead Service Office (LSO) Enterprise Architecture process to develop a NextGen ATS DoD Strategic Roadmap, Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), and Command and Control Core Function Support Plan, outlining DoD and Air Force equities and requirements, via in-depth analysis of FAA NextGen ATS programs and timelines. Portfolio analysis will be captured in DoD NextGen ATS charters to guide Services through a broad and complex NextGen ATS environment. To minimize integration costs, the LSO and Joint Program Office (JPO) along with the Air Force Flight Standards Agency (AFFSA) will also assist aircraft depots, program offices, and major commands in combining military (Mode-5 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), Global Positioning System (GPS) Military (M)-Code), and civil avionics upgrades, including Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B), Data Communication (DataComm), and PBN. To support LSO and JPO NextGen ATS decision making, AFFSA and major command users will use supporting infrastructure tools, such as the CNS/ATM Global Aviation Initiatives, Mandates, and Standards (GAIMS) database and a DoD Fleet-Wide Avionics Repository (F-WAR). In support of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) operations, JPO efforts will also continue to support requests for implementation of GBSAA at new locations. Additionally, AFFSA will continue efforts to examine new civil air traffic control and landing system technologies that may have military utility such as a remote virtual Air Traffic Control tower capability. In total, these efforts will focus on enabling DoD aircraft to take advantage of NextGen envisioned NAS efficiencies, developing policies/procedures to reduce costs while ensuring airspace access, seamlessly integrating RPAs into the NAS and international airspaces, improving the display of aircraft position to air traffic controllers, determining future requirements for digital communications with manned and unmanned aircraft, and enhancing flight safety. 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. On average, due to systemic equipment failures, no more than three of the existing 17 systems are deployable at any given time. The current AN/TPN-19 and AN/MPN-14K Operational Availability rates are 69% and 67% respectively versus a requirement for D-RAPCON of 98%. D-RAPCON will provide aircraft surveillance/sequencing, air traffic control communications, and automation capabilities for terminal area air traffic control operations. D-RAPCON will also be deployed with a fixed base or deployable Instrument Landing System 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 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) will increase from 120 nm to 200 nm. The D-RAPCON Capability Development Document (CDD) was approved by the Air Force Requirements Oversight Council on 8 Feb 11. FY17 funds will complete developmental testing (DT) and operational testing (OT), and perform any deficiency mitigation work as necessary. In FY17, the program office will also be preparing for MS C and approval for a production representative unit and, a full rate production decision (FRP). Prior to FRP approval, there are also six system certifications which must be accomplished. These include: Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System Identification Friend or Foe, Mark XII/Mark XIIA Systems Certification; National Airspace System Certification; Shelter/Transportability Certification; Electro-Magnetic Spectrum Certification; Information Assurance Certification; and Accreditation and Interoperability and Supportability Certification. Activities also include studies and analysis to support both current program planning and execution and future program planning. Related OPAF funds are in the PE 0305114F Weapon System Code 833010. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2017
• Source ID: 673587_0305114F_7_3600_PB_2017

Tags

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
• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Space