Software Problems Delaying NextGen Implementation

A report released last month by the DOT IG indicates that the $2.1 billion En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) program to replace and significantly enhance the existing hardware and software at facilities that manage high-altitude air traffic in development since 2002 is about four years behind schedule, and is threatening to significantly delay implementation of NextGen.

ERAM is considered a foundational component of FAA’s Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) and is critical to meeting FAA’s goals for increasing airspace capacity and reducing flight delays.

The report indicates that the program has experienced software problems that have impacted the system’s ability to safely manage and separate aircraft. As a result of the delays at the key sites, FAA now projects that ERAM will be almost 4 years behind schedule, with an uncertain final completion date. If problems persist, cost increases could reach in excess of $500 million and interfere with program execution. FAA’s problems in advancing ERAM are attributable to a number of fundamental program management weaknesses that have impeded the Agency’s ability to effectively implement ERAM and effectively manage other major acquisitions, including setting an unrealistic schedule, allowing ERAM to successfully pass Government Acceptance even though testing at the Agency’s Technical Center was limited and could not replicate actual field conditions, ignoring early warning signs of trouble, such as an unexpectedly high number of problem reports, and a lack of attention to identify, communicate, and fix ERAM’s problems. This was compounded by a management culture that was slow to fully acknowledge the extent of ERAM’s problems or communicate them to senior FAA management.

The DOT IG says that ERAM’s delays pose significant risks to FAA’s plans to implement critical NextGen initiatives because of complex interdependencies between ERAM and other key systems needed to advance NextGen.

The IG issued 13 recommendations it says will help reduce risk with further implementation of ERAM and to address programmatic management weaknesses. They include development of a mitigation plan to address ERAM’s core capabilities problems at all 20 ERAM sites before deploying new capabilities, and the evaluation of available options and take action to deploy an additional backup for ERAM until the system has become significantly more mature.

FMI: Read the Report