NATCA Bookshelf

40 I s s u e s N A T C A I N W A S H I N G T O N 2 0 2 4 N i W To d a y n Tier 1 Funding Priority – Au to m a t i o n P l a t fo r m s , S u r v e i l l a n c e S y ste m s , N OTA M S n Standard Terminal Automation Replacement (STARS), Advanced Technologies & Oceanic Procedures (ATOP), and En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) are automation platforms that deliver flight plan and surveillance information to air traffic controllers on a real-time basis. These platforms are the foundational systems that keep our NAS operating safely day and night. The FAA must be able to sustain and upgrade each of these automation platforms. For instance, the base equipment (hardware, monitors, and keyboards) used to operate STARS will reach its end of lifecycle in 2026. (i.e., the manufacturer-determined date upon which the equipment will need to be replaced based on its anticipated use). NATCA is concerned with funding constraints that could jeopardize the program, in addition to safety and efficiency of the NAS. These systems operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and, therefore, the hardware must be monitored and replaced at scheduled intervals. n A replacement program for Microprocessor En Route Automated Radar Tracking System (Micro-EARTS), which is the air traffic platform that supports Guam, Hawaii, and Alaska. The FAA has identified the need to replace Micro- EARTS with ERAM. These replacement programs will improve NAS interoperability and reduce costs by standardizing the training, maintenance, and development efforts by bringing these facilities under the NextGen automation umbrella. n Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) & Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are new entrant aviation systems that move people and cargo using new aircraft designs that are integrated into existing airspace operations. The ATC system must adapt in order to support the safe and efficient integration of these technologies and to accommodate a mix of crewed and unmanned aircraft in the NAS. Sufficient funding is necessary to ensure that the frontline controller workforce continues to be involved in all development, testing, and deployment of AAM and UAS integration. n Enhance Existing Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Infrastructure. ADS-B is an advanced surveillance technology that utilizes an aircraft's positioning source, aircraft avionics, and a ground-based infrastructure to create an accurate surveillance interface between aircraft and controllers. With the advent and proliferation of new entrants such as AAM and UAS, there is a need for expanding and enhancing the existing ADS-B infrastructure. There also is a need for additional ADS-B radio stations in certain areas such as the Caribbean, which continues to be serviced by only one Long Range Radar site. n Long Range Radar services for both En Route and Terminal environments. Even with the wide deployment of ADS-B Out, there is still a need for non-cooperative surveillance tools such as Long-Range Radar services, which allow controllers to see aircraft that are not ADS-B Out equipped. These services are critical to controllers fulfilling their safety functions. n Airport Surveillance Radars (ASR) and Air Route Surveillance Radars (ARSR) combined equal an infrastructure of over 750 surveillance sources in the NAS, the oldest of which was deployed in 1952. These radars are vital to the daily safe and efficient operation of the NAS. Due to age and funding constraints, these critical surveillance systems are in dire need of replacement and/or tech refresh. n Federal Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) System (FNS), which provides critical information to controllers and pilots about issues in the NAS, for which timely knowledge of the issue is essential for personnel concerned with flight operations. NOTAM modernization has been a FAA Top 5 safety priority and will require appropriate funding levels in order to sustain and upgrade the system. This issue is underscored by the NOTAMS outage on January 11, 2023, which caused widespread flight delays and cancellations throughout the NAS. A subsequent reduction in NOTAMS availability roughly two weeks later B u d g e t a r y S h o r t fa l l s P l a g u e M o d e r n i z a t i o n A n d I n f ra s t r u c t u re E f fo r t s Issue

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