Air Traffic Control Systems

Abstract

To support the Air Force worldwide flying mission, this program element funds research, development, and management of fielded and emerging air traffic control communications, surveillance, automation, positioning, and precision approach and landing systems. When applicable, this may include coordination with bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). AFT will utilize the Airfield Operations Accelerator (AO-X) innovation presence at Hanscom Air Force Base to continue driving innovation supporting Airfield Operations' critical role in Agile Combat Employment. AFT projects will focus on identified and/or documented capability gaps and associated mitigating technologies required to ensure interoperability of fielded and planned ATCALS systems with USAF command and control systems such as the Advanced Battle Management System. These efforts support the 2018 NDAA National Defense Strategy approach to "generate decisive and sustained U.S. military advantages" by enabling "forward force maneuver and posture resilience". Research and development of technology and strategies to support adaptive, agile basing concepts of operations provide ATCALS capabilities necessary to ensure enduring, resilient, efficient and safe air operations. AFT will "evolve innovative operational concepts" by modernizing airfield operations, provide adaptive ATC services and systems appropriate for the current environment, and bolster "Dynamic Force Employment" through scalable employment operations and globally deployable forces for the four layers of the "Global Operating Model: "contact, blunt, surge, and homeland". FY23 ATCALS development efforts will continue to research and develop new technologies in multiple areas of aircraft launch and recovery for both fixed and expeditionary operations. These may include, but are not limited to: military and civil airspace interoperability; smaller footprint and lightweight expeditionary technology; improved Notice to Operators (NOTAMs) software capabilities; electronically scanned Man-Portable TACAN antenna technology, and evaluation of new civil ATCALS technologies that may have military utility. As these technologies and architectures mature, fixed base and deployable ground system upgrades will be coordinated and fielded concurrently with related manned and unmanned aircraft avionics capabilities that may be required. When implemented, these efforts will enable DoD aircraft to enhance safety, security, efficiency, and affordability of global flight operations. The total cost of the D-RAPCON Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is $70.356 million, including RDT&E and procurement of prototype units. The D-RAPCON is fully funded across the Future Years Defense Program This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver the ATCALS weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605831F. In FY22 0.000M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY23 0.000M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. 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, 2023
• Source ID: 673587_0305114F_7_3600_PB_2023

Tags

Readers

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

Technology Areas

• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs
• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Microelectronics
• Space