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Air Traffic Control Modernization Reaches Major Milestone

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050810-09
Release Date: 8/10/2005 2:07:00 PM

From Naval Air Systems Command Public Affairs

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (NNS) -- The Department of Defense’s National Airspace System Modernization Program is proving its mettle on both sides of the Atlantic after recently going into full-rate production.

In June, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition Keith Krieg signed a Program Decision Memorandum authorizing full-rate production for the new system. Naval Air Systems Command's (NAVAIR) Air Traffic Control and Combat Identification Systems Program Office (PMA 213) had a leading role in the effort to field this major modernization program.

“This program, usually referred to as ‘NAS Mod,' is a joint effort by the Federal Aviation Administration and DoD to upgrade all U.S. federal terminal radar approach control facilities nationwide and abroad with common, state-of–the-art digital systems,” according to Rob Bellamy, NAS Mod program manager. "The new NAS Mod systems have been installed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., Naval Station Rota, Spain, and Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md...and are getting rave reviews from Navy and Marine Corps air traffic controllers.”

The Navy and Marine Corps will ultimately convert all their airfields to these new systems.

Changes have been made inside and outside the control tower, with the integration of three key components: a new digital airport surveillance radar to replace the older, analog ASR-8 radar; a new software-driven air traffic controller display system dubbed the DoD Advanced Automation System; and a Navy-unique, everything-at-your-fingertips information management program called simply the "Visual Information Display System" (VIDS).

“The new radar, processor, display and communications equipment produced in this program will both enhance the efficiency of the National Air Traffic Control System and reduce operating costs,” Bellamy said. "The systems have proven more capable, reliable and user friendly than the previous analog systems. Signing this PDM (program decision memorandum) paves the way for full fielding of this critical DoD program."

Use of interoperable digital systems enables faster and safer management of air traffic as aircraft proceed from one air traffic control facility to another. Training and support costs are reduced by the use of common systems, all receiving centralized maintenance and repair support from the FAA.