Supporting FAA NextGen Initiatives, Air Traffic Control Centers At 135 Airports To Receive STARS Platform

The FAA has awarded a $350 million contract modification to Raytheon to continue the upgrade of 135 air traffic control centers to the Standard Terminal Automation System (STARS) through September 2017. Implementation of STARS at these airports will bring all of the largest airports and the majority (90%+) of all Terminal air space controlled by the FAA onto the NextGen terminal automation platform.

"STARS is now operating at 150 FAA and DoD terminal air traffic control facilities and the performance of the system has been exceptional," said Michael Espinola, managing director, Raytheon Air Traffic Systems. "STARS is the foundation for numerous NextGen efforts within the National Air Space."

STARS is implemented under the FAA's Terminal Automation Modernization and Replacement program. STARS brings the terminal automation program into a single operational baseline. This cohesive approach eases the implementation of potential future NextGen initiatives that are designed to maintain safety and bring efficiencies to an increasingly congested NAS.

STARS is a standard system used by both the FAA and the Department of Defense. It replaces several generations and versions of existing terminal automation systems providing substantial savings in lifecycle costs. The system brings additional safety and capacity management features to terminal automation in both the commercial and defense sectors.

For more than 60 years Raytheon has provided air traffic management technology, products and services to civil and military customers around the world. Raytheon's ATM solutions operate in more than 60 countries, and monitor more than 60 percent of the world's airspace.

FMI: www.raytheon.com