Terminal Automation Modernization – Replacement (TAMR)

Program Description

The TAMR program employs a three-phased approach to modernizing the air traffic control systems that controllers use to control traffic approaching or leaving the nation’s major airports. The first phase of the program – TAMR Phase 1 – replaced the automated radar processing and display systems at Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facilities, and their associated airport traffic control towers. Phase 1 deployed Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) to 47 sites. TAMR Phase 2 involved the replacement of automation systems at five additional TRACONs and the modernization of air traffic controller displays and system processors at four large TRACONs, including Denver and Chicago. The final phase of the program, Phase 3, will address the remaining 108 sites.

Terminal Automation Modernization/Replacement

(TAMR) Phase 3 - Segment 1

First site IOC: October 2012 -- Last site IOC: 2017 TAMR P3 - S1

2020 2015

TAMR Phase 3 Segment 2 will replace 91 Automated Radar Terminal System (ARTS) IIE systems Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACONs) and their associated Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCTs), and six ARTS IE systems (stand-alone ATCT display systems), with Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) hardware, software, and displays. TAMR Phase 3 Segment 2 will deploy a scaled STARS system, known as STARS Enhanced Local Integrated Tower Equipment (ELITE), to the ARTS IIE facilities and STARS Local Integrated Tower Equipment (LITE) to the ARTS IE facilities. The STARS automation system is a fully digital system capable of tracking all aircraft within the defined terminal airspace using available FAA and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) surveillance systems.

This approach for TAMR Phase 3 Segment 2 provides the FAA with a strategy to support ADS-B requirements and continue with the FAA’s original plan for terminal convergence to one automation platform originally established under the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) contract. Once executed, terminal convergence will eliminate a redundant need to sustain both STARS and Common Automated Radar Terminal System (CARTS) and eliminate the need to continue with redundant software development activities. The Final Investment Decision (FID) for Segment 1 was approved in December 2011 and the FID for Segment 2 was approved in September 2012.

Alignment of Program to FAA Strategic Goal, Outcome, and Performance Metric

 FAA Strategic Goal 3 – Delivering Aviation Access through Innovation.

 FAA Outcome 1 – System capacity and user demands are matched to ensure reliable, predictable and cost effective air navigation and airport services.

 FAA Performance Metric 4 – Maintain an average daily airport capacity for the Core Airports of 86,835 arrivals and departures through 2016.

Relationship to Performance Metric

TAMR Phase 3 Segment 2 will replace the 91 IIE and six IE systems with modern technology that provides faster and more reliable data processing and communication capabilities. As part of the transition from one technology platform to another, the FAA will upgrade the processor and display capabilities. The upgrade to current technology will support ADS-B implementation and data management requirements associated with improving air traffic control management, which can increase and improve the airspace capacity. The new equipment will provide the ability to increase the number of aircraft tracked from 256 to 1350 unique aircraft and the number of surveillance sensors that can be connected from 1 to 12. These improvements will increase system capacity.

Program Plans FY 2014 – Performance Output Goals  Complete STARS ELITE OT&E. (APB milestone)  Achieve IOC at the first ARTS IIE site. (APB milestone)  Achieve IOC at two additional ARTS IIE sites.

 Begin site preparation activities at 10 sites.  Deliver hardware to 13 sites.

 Procure 18 systems.

Program Plans FY 2015 – Performance Output Goals  Procure 37 systems.

 Deliver hardware to 18 sites.  Achieve IOC at five sites.

Program Plans FY 2016 – Performance Output Goals  Procure 34 systems.

 Deliver 43 systems.  Complete IOC at 12th

Program Plans FY 2017 – Performance Output Goals  Procure 18 systems.

 Deliver 28 systems.  Complete IOC at 34th

ARTS IIE site. (APB milestone) Program Plans FY 2018 – Performance Output Goals  Deliver 13 systems.

 Complete IOC at 65th

ARTS IIE site. (APB milestone) System Implementation Schedule

Final Investment Decision for Segment 2 was approved September 2012.

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ROGRAM FY 2014 Request $2.6M

Flight Data Input/Output (FDIO) Replacement, A01.11-01

Program Description

The FDIO system provides standardized flight plan data, weather information, safety related data, and other information to air traffic controllers at more than 650 Terminal NAS facilities. The FDIO system interfaces to the En route automation system, both the Host Computer System (HOST) and the En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) system, and provides flight data information to NAS Terminal facilities. The FDIO system retrieves the flight data from the HOST/ERAM and prints this information on paper strips for controllers at FAA (TRACON, ATCT, and Radar Approach Control (RAPCON)) facilities. This information assists controllers in tracking aircraft and anticipating the arrival of aircraft in the sector under their control. The FDIO system also receives data from the TRACON, ATCT, and RAPCON facilities and relays this data back to the HOST/ERAM.

The FDIO Replacement program replaces the end-of–life/obsolete FDIO equipment with fully compatible (form/fit/function) COTS and modified COTS equipment. The FDIO system is mainly comprised of computers, servers, monitors, keyboards, printers, and circuit cards that are commercially available. The program is based on a 5 year replacement cycle for the various components in order to maintain system operational availability. Individual components are procured and replaced as they reach their end of life.

Alignment of Program to FAA Strategic Goal, Outcome, and Performance Metric

 FAA Strategic Goal 3 – Delivering Aviation Access through Innovation.

 FAA Outcome 3 – Air navigation infrastructure and associate systems are flexible, reliable, cost effective and secure.

 FAA Performance Metric 2 – Maintain operational availability of the National Airspace System (NAS) at 99.7 percent through 2016.

Relationship to Performance Metric

The FDIO program replaces end-of–life, obsolete FDIO equipment with modern COTS and modified COTS equipment, thereby reducing potential outages and delays. Reports indicate FDIO equipment has an average operational availability of 99.875% from 2007 through 2010.

Terminal Automation Modernization/Replacement

(TAMR) Phase 3 - Segment 2

First site IOC: August 2014 -- Last site IOC: August 2019 TAMR P3 - S2

2020 2015

Program Plans FY 2014 – Performance Output Goals

 Procure and field replacement Flight Data Input/Output (FDIO) system components (terminal server, keyboard, and monitor) at 100 FAA and DoD ATC facilities.

 Contract Awarded for Thermal Flight Strip Printer replacement, September 30, 2014. Program Plans FY 2015 – Performance Output Goals

 Procure and field replacement Flight Data Input/Output (FDIO) system components (terminal server, keyboard, printer and monitor) at approximately 100 FAA and DoD ATC facilities.

Program Plans FY 2016 – Performance Output Goals

 Procure and field replacement Flight Data Input/Output (FDIO) system components (terminal server, keyboard, printer and monitor) at approximately 100 FAA and DoD ATC facilities.

Program Plans FY 2017 – Performance Output Goals

 Procure and field replacement Flight Data Input/Output (FDIO) system components (terminal server, keyboard, printer and monitor) at approximately 100 FAA and DoD ATC facilities.

Program Plans FY 2018 – Performance Output Goals

 Procure and field replacement Flight Data Input/Output (FDIO) system components (terminal server, keyboard, printer and monitor) at approximately 100 FAA and DoD ATC facilities.

System Implementation Schedule

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EPLACE FY 2014 Request $72.0M

ATCT/TRACON Replacement, F01.02-00

Program Description

The ATCT/TRACON Replacement program replaces towers and TRACONs that no longer meet operational and sustainability requirements. The FAA provides air traffic control services from more than 500 Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facilities and replaces these buildings to ensure an acceptable level of air traffic control services and to meet current and future operational requirements. The average age of control towers is approximately 30 years, and some are 60 years old. As the volume and complexity of terminal air traffic control increases, so does the need to have additional positions in the ATCT/TRACON facilities (i.e., helicopter positions, Visual Flight Rule traffic advisories, runway monitors, etc.). Control towers built more than 20 years ago often do not meet today’s operational requirements. In addition, some terminal facilities must be upgraded to conform to current building codes and design standards.

The Capital Programming Guide A-11 requires full funding for useful segments or a project. For this program, projects are funded in five useful segments and are scheduled based on Agency’s priorities. The five segments are: Advance Requirements and Other Direct Costs; Facility Design; Construction Award; Equipment and Utilities Installation; and Disposition, Demolition, and Decommissioning. A project typically spans a period of 5-10 years from inception to completion depending on the size of the project. Each segment of a project is fully funded in the year requested but it may take more than one year to complete that segment and costs for that segment may exceed the original estimate.

Flight Data Input/Output (FDIO)

First site IOC: September 2011 -- Last site IOC: September 2018 FDIO

2020 2015

The ATO is re-evaluating and strengthening its process for selecting the towers and TRACONs that need to be replaced. It includes an economic analysis and operational considerations to ensure that the facilities proposed for replacement each year are the facilities in greatest need of replacement.

Alignment of Program to FAA Strategic Goal, Outcome, and Performance Metric  FAA Strategic Goal 3 – Delivering Aviation Access through Innovation.

 FAA Outcome 3 – Air navigation infrastructure and associate systems are flexible, reliable, cost effective and secure.

 FAA Performance Metric 2 – Maintain operational availability of the National Airspace System (NAS) at 99.7 percent through 2016.

Relationship to Performance Metric

The Terminal Air Traffic Control Facilities program contributes to the FAA goal of Delivering Aviation Access through Innovation by replacing ATCTs and TRACONs to meet current and future operational requirements. Some replacements are required to accommodate growth in air traffic; others are needed to provide added space for new equipment; and, in some cases, the tower must be replaced to ensure that controllers have an unobstructed view of the runways and taxiways, or new ATCTs must be constructed due to airport expansion. As volume and complexity of terminal air traffic control increases, so does the requirement for additional positions in ATCT/TRACON facilities. This program will ensure facilities are prepared to meet current and future levels of air traffic control services while supporting the performance metric of maintaining operational availability of the NAS.

Program Plans FY 2014 – Performance Output Goals

 Award construction contract at one site.

 Award contracts for equipment procurement/installation at two sites.  Complete Disposition, Demolition, and Decommissioning at five sites.

Program Plans FY 2015 – Performance Output Goals

 Award construction contracts at three sites.

 Award contracts for equipment procurement/installation at three sites.  Complete Disposition, Demolition, and Decommissioning at three sites.

Program Plans FY 2016 – Performance Output Goals

 Award construction contracts at three sites.

 Award contracts for equipment procurement and installation at three sites.  Complete Disposition, Demolition and Decommissioning at three sites.

Program Plans FY 2017 – Performance Output Goals

 Award construction contracts at three sites.

 Award contracts for equipment procurement and installation at three sites.  Complete Disposition, Demolition and Decommissioning at three sites.

Program Plans FY 2018 – Performance Output Goals

 Award construction contracts at three sites.

 Award contracts for equipment procurement and installation at three sites.  Complete Disposition, Demolition and Decommissioning at three sites.

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MPROVE FY 2014 Request $53.2M

Program Description

The ATCT/TRACON Modernization program upgrades towers and TRACONs to meet operational and safety requirements. The FAA must continually upgrade and improve terminal facilities and equipment to provide an acceptable level of service and to meet current and future operational requirements. Improvements include replacing facility components that are deteriorating such as: roofs, air conditioners and tower cab consoles. In addition to the renovation projects, modernization includes facility upgrades such as adding operating positions for controllers including training positions, rehabilitating administrative and equipment space to accommodate facility expansion, and expanding base-buildings to support current and future demand.

ATCT/TRACON facilities have also had to be modernized to address operational and safety issues, including upgrading visibility of the entire airport surface, improving accessibility, removing hazardous materials and upgrading structures to meet seismic standards that didn’t exist when they were constructed. Facility improvements must be completed with minimal impact on existing operations. An initial evaluation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers found that a number of FAA ATCT/TRACON facilities do not meet current seismic code criteria. This program has initiated building improvements to bring the facilities up to a level to withstand a seismic event by complying with the Interagency Committee on Seismic Safety in Construction standards and the “DOT Policy for Seismic Safety of New and Existing DOT Owned or Leased Buildings”.

Alignment of Program to FAA Strategic Goal, Outcome, and Performance Metric  FAA Strategic Goal 3 – Delivering Aviation Access through Innovation.

 FAA Outcome 3 – Air navigation infrastructure and associate systems are flexible, reliable, cost effective and secure.

 FAA Performance Metric 2 – Maintain operational availability of the National Airspace System (NAS) at 99.7 percent through 2016.

Relationship to Performance Metric

The ATCT/TRACON Modernization program upgrades and improves facilities to support the NAS. This program will enable facilities to meet current operational, environmental, seismic and safety needs more economically than replacing or relocating the entire facility. This effort will result in a smooth and orderly transition of new equipment into FAA terminal facilities, minimizing disruption of the operating system. This program will also improve the operational efficiency and environmental systems of obsolete and deteriorated ATCT/TRACON facilities. The improvements to facility infrastructure such as electrical distribution systems, heating and air-conditioning, and structural problems will extend the service life of facilities and minimize outages that would delay air traffic. Facility Condition Index (FCI) values are based on independent facility assessments or extrapolations. The FAA utilizes the FCI to gain insight into the physical plant condition of our facilities and to help us prioritize facility sustainment, modernize and replacement efforts. In FY2011, FCI ranged from 74 percent to 100 percent for towers and TRACONs.

Program Plans FY 2014 – Performance Output Goals