Transition Dubbed "Seamless"

The FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure (FTI) Primary Network Operations and Control Center (PNOCC) made a seamless transition to a back-up site in Chantilly, Virginia prior to the arrival of Hurricane Frances this past Sunday. The PNOCC, located in Melbourne, Florida, is the main operations center from which the FAA nationwide FTI network is monitored and managed by Harris personnel.

"The PNOCC is essential to managing and monitoring FAA air traffic control operations nationwide," said Steve Dash, FAA telecommunications manager. "We are extremely pleased that the switchover to the back-up site, which is part of the normal emergency response plan, went so smoothly. Monitoring was continuous, and maximum availability and security were maintained throughout the entire network, which is the communications backbone for the FAA's critical civil aviation mission. There was no impact whatsoever on the National Airspace System."

The PNOCC is a state-of-the-art control center supported by a redundant, robust architecture housed within a 6,500-square foot facility. Physical building security, redundant climate control systems, and uninterruptible power ensure system and facility availability with zero downtime. In fact, the Melbourne PNOCC maintained power and communications throughout the hurricane. The shift of control was executed in accordance with existing emergency plans designed to respond to potential threats, such as a Category 3 or greater hurricane. Control has subsequently been smoothly transitioned back to the PNOCC in Melbourne.

Both primary and back-up locations provide centralized, timely network security and performance management information and served as focal points for problem reporting and network status for all FAA users.

The 15-year, $1.9 billion FTI program, awarded to Harris in July 2002, is improving operational functions at more than 5,000 FAA facilities nationwide while reducing operating costs, enhancing network security, and improving telecommunications service performance, reliability, and quality. Implementation of the FTI program is on schedule and within budget, and the technical performance of all services remains as specified by the contract.

FMI: www.harris.com, www.faa.gov