NATCA Bookshelf

• WAM has been plagued by numerous fits and starts, harming the confidence of the facility. SBS Engineering has conducted a two month Technical Eval of the offline WAM system to combat reliability and tracking issues seen. Analysis indicates a significant reduction in false track probability. An Op Eval took place June 27-28 and WAM was returned top operational service on June 29. Yet another false target issue has prompted a stand down of SCT WAM service pending additional mitigations. • SAAT has been analyzing Potomac (PCT) Fusion issues for potential solutions. The facility has been struggling with a number of issues related to problem radar sites or a lack of coverage. Radar analysis has confirmed the benefit of adding Quantico (NYG) radar to PCT as well as reducing obstructions near Dulles (IAD). However, the funding for the additional NYG feed has been difficult to obtain. • Raleigh-Durham (RDU) has suffered for far too long with tracking issues. A thorough analysis of the situation was provided in late 2017 showing that the RDU ASR itself is screened by tree growth. Efforts to reduce this screening are underway and the airport authority is awaiting a contractor. SBS has agreed to fund additional radar sensors to help with the Fusion presentation, but if the tree screening is not resolved their tracking issues will continue. • Systemwide changes to CLT WAM are being worked to boost availability. These include multiple redundant communication links from radios, network architecture improvements, and a closer examination of which radios are critical. This last step could move CLT WAM away from having eight Critical Radios to only three. A Critical Radio failure means the entire WAM system is out of service so a reduction in Critical Radios would likely mean greater availability. Whether this surveillance coverage is operationally acceptable is to be examined during a flight inspection July 23-27. • A Fusion planning meeting with N90 took place on Sept. 11. The outcomes are tentative at this point, but promising. The transition to Fusion is needed soon at N90 to ensure they are well ahead of the Jan. 1, 2020 deadline to equip with ADS-B. Without Fusion, N90 will not be able to take advantage of ADS-B. • NATCA and Ops Support SMEs from SBS have completed a review of numerous requests for additional radar feeds across the NAS. The team focused on those that benefit Fusion tracking. Issues such as service expansion were outside of SBS scope and should be worked through other channels.

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