Controllers in Chicago, Denver, St. Louis And MSP Now Using New Systems

Controllers serving four major US airports are now using terminal air traffic control systems modernized by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, on contract with the Federal Aviation Administration.

As part of the FAA's Terminal Area Modernization Replacement (TAMR) program, a Raytheon-Lockheed Martin team developed and installed the automated radar processing and display systems located at four Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facilities and associated air traffic control towers located in Chicago, Denver, St. Louis, and Minneapolis-St. Paul. Raytheon is the program's prime contractor.

Updating systems and displays that controllers use at or near the nation's major airports not only addresses hardware obsolescence and capacity issues, but it also improves the computer-human interface within the National Airspace System. In addition, the new systems -- which incorporate easier-to-view graphical displays -- provide the FAA flexibility to incorporate existing and future technology enhancements needed to meet the challenges of an evolving airspace system, such as multiple radar sensor displays and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) capabilities.

"By working together, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin have been able to provide a best value solution to ensure the FAA achieves its mission of aviation safety and efficiency for airline passengers," said Sandra Samuel, vice president of Lockheed Martin Aviation Solutions. "We are proud to provide FAA professionals at these four major airports with modernized technologies, allowing them to continue to evolve toward an innovative and efficient Next Generation Air Transportation System."

Typical terminal area air traffic control services include the separation and sequencing of air traffic, the provision of traffic alerts and weather advisories, and radar vectoring for departing and arriving traffic.

FMI: www.raytheon.com, www.lockheedmartin.com, www.faa.gov