FAA Will Upgrade Technology and Boost Related R&D

by Terry Costlow

IEEE-USA Policy Forum

The recent push to improve airline security has overshadowed a major thrust to modernize America’s air traffic control. But digital and satellite technologies being implemented this year should improve communications and navigation dramatically, in addition to providing critical research funding in many related fields.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently acquiring and installing up-to-date technology that will be easier to upgrade than existing hardware, which in many instances dates to the 1970s. The FAA has begun rolling out a number of programs this year, with complete deployment expected to take about a decade.

The FAA’s recent moves follow suggestions made last year in an IEEE-USA position statement that called for implementing these and other technologies as a way to introduce modern equipment without sacrificing safety. IEEE-USA promoted the advances as a way to use federal R&D funding to rebuild U.S. leadership and enhance America’s global aviation competitiveness.

Both of IEEE-USA’s goals should be met, if all of the systems are completed. Needed upgrades will improve air traffic control technology dramatically, and will make future upgrades much simpler. And despite the fact that FAA statistics show a 10 percent decline in airport operations in 2002 compared to 2000, the agency predicts that air traffic will soon return to its upward growth pattern, necessitating upgrades sooner, rather than later.

STARS — the Next Generation of Air Traffic Control

The FAA is continuing with plans it set in place before the September 11 attacks and the slumping economy hit the aviation industry. One of the largest programs under way is the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) program, an upgraded air traffic control system. The $1.7 billion STARS project moved into commercialization earlier this year, when the Philadelphia International Airport replaced its monochromatic screens and an air traffic control system that was limited to 300 planes. STARS’ modern open architecture system, color displays and ability to handle thousands of flights will be deployed at another 167 airports over the next eight years.

GPS Accuracy on the Rise

In March, the FAA and Congress awarded Lockheed Martin an initial $34 million to provide ground stations and broadcast services for the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). This system will improve GPS data accuracy from 100 meters to seven meters. In addition, it will provide precise landing information at thousands of airports that don’t currently have precision landing capability.

WAAS should be commissioned this year, which means the FAA deems it safe enough for pilots to use in critical situations. When it’s implemented, WAAS will let pilots use GPS data during instrument approach, as well as during lateral and vertical navigation approaches.

Lockheed Martin’s award represents a much-needed influx of R&D funding and program contracts to the battered high tech industry. In fact, the company stands to receive as much as $597 million over 10 years for work on this project, while current projections indicate the FAA’s improvement programs could translate to as much as $2.7 billion for contractors industry-wide.

Bad Weather Guidance

Another satellite technology advance came in May, when the FAA granted Honeywell International $16.7 million to develop the Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS), which will guide pilots into busy airports in inclement weather. LAAS will provide GPS-related landing information as well as specific local information on obstacles and congested airspace. LAAS, now in Phase 1 design, can be used in airports that can’t use conventional landing systems because of radio frequency constraints. FAA expects to install the LAAS system at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Houston International Airport in 2006, assuming Phase 1 development programs go as scheduled.

FAA Also Pursuing Updated Radio Communications

While GPS and satellite technology are getting much attention, there’s plenty of activity in more traditional radio communications for avionics. Harris Corporation, for example, recently won $21 million to put the Next Generation Air/Ground Communications (NEXCOM) program on the fast track. If the design phase pans out by 2005, Harris predicts installation could bring $400 million to the company and its technology partners.

NEXCOM quadruples the number of channels now available with analog technology the FAA has used for years. By adding more channels, VHS digital Mode 3 technology will permit sending voice and data from pilots to controllers, as well as making other air traffic control data readily available. In addition, signals will have a digital form of authentication to prevent so-called “phantom controllers” from accessing the communication system.

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Terry Costlow has written about the electronics industry for more than 20 years, covering a wide range of technologies and topics.