Thu, Nov 04, 2004
Upgrading The WAAS Network
The FAA and Raytheon have fined
tuned their contract that calls for the aerospace company to
augment the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) system.
What that means to the average pilot is better GPS services down
the road.
"The contract modification marks another milestone in the
continuing satellite navigation partnership between Raytheon and
the FAA," said Bob Eckel, vice president of air traffic management
systems at Raytheon, in a statement. "We are pleased to have been a
part of the FAA's success in achieving WAAS initial operational
capability in 2003, and we look forward to continuing this
relationship as WAAS evolves into a seamless, high-availability
satellite-based navigation system throughout North America."
WAAS is an ultra-accurate navigation system developed for civil
aviation. Before WAAS, the National Airspace System (NAS) did not
have the ability to provide horizontal and vertical navigation for
precision approach operations for all users at all locations. With
WAAS, this capability is becoming a reality. WAAS provides service
for all classes of aircraft in all flight operations - including en
route navigation, airport departures, and airport arrivals. This
includes precision landing approaches in all weather conditions at
all locations throughout the NAS.
The Raytheon contract modification itself is worth $204 million,
as the company continues augmenting the current GPS system. Over
the summer, Raytheon started work on four Reference Stations in
Alaska. They'll cover the entire state as part of the Capstone
Program, aimed at improving air safety in Alaska.
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