OEP Plan Reference Sheet NextGen TAMR Phase 1 & 2
Terminal Automation Modernization/Replacement (TAMR)
(Phase 1 and Phase 2)
Flight Plan Goal #2 – Greater Capacity
Objective #1 – Increase capacity to meet projected demand
Background / Need:
The automation systems that provide the foundation for the current air traffic control system must be upgraded / replaced in order to increase capacity and improve productivity. These systems integrate data from radar and weather sensors and flight plan information for each aircraft into a graphical and textual presentation used by several thousand air traffic controllers.
The automation systems at terminal facilities, both terminal radar approach control (TRACON) and air traffic control towers (ATCT) across the National Airspace System (NAS) are in various phases of their life cycle. Some systems such as the Automated Radar Terminal System (ARTS) IIIA and Common ARTS IIE, are at the end-of-life and need replacement.
These older systems are limited in capacity, unable to support future growth projections and new functionality, and present an operational risk to service.
In April 2004, the FAA’s Joint Resources Council (JRC) approved an investment to deploy the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) as the replacement solution for the 47 oldest and most operationally critical ARTS IIIAs (43), and Common ARTS IIEs (4) sites.
In FY 2005, the FAA identified an additional 9 sites (5 ARTS IIE and 4 ARTS IIIE sites) that were presenting a critical risk to service. On June 30 2005, the FAA JRC approved an additional investment to replace/modernize the automation systems at these nine sites.
These two investments comprise the Terminal Automation Modernization / Replacement Program (TAMR) Phases 1 and 2.
Solution(s):
The FAA is implementing Terminal Automation Modernization/Replacement (TAMR) in a phased approach, starting with the TRACONs that have the oldest terminal automation systems. This approach reflects FAA’s current philosophy in maintaining business continuity and effective program management. The phases mitigate Government, vendor, and deployment costs and risks by breaking down large, complex Terminal modernization acquisitions. The phases allow the FAA to select a “best value” system, meet budgetary constraints and fulfill critical National Airspace System requirements. Each phase is justified, priced and presented separately to the Joint Resource Council (JRC).
TAMR Phase1:
Phase 1 of the TAMR Program (also known as STARS) and the associated baseline cover the initial replacement of 47 of the 162 operational Terminal Automation Systems being used. As of the end of FY 2006, the STARS system was fully operational at 44 of the 47 sites.
In FY 2007, the Program plans to complete STARS installation and deployment at the Phoenix, Norfolk, and Dayton sites. Additionally, program and system engineering technical support; NAILS field support; software development in support of site specific deployment functionality; STARS laboratory management support; second level software maintenance support; operational field support; end-of-life hardware technical refresh; and STARS software enhancements will be accomplished for all 47 STARS systems.
For FY 2008, the TAMR Phase 1 program expects to perform the following activities:
- Technical Refresh. These activities include: completion of an operating system qualification and installation; completion of the initial phase of the system processor and peripheral equipment qualification and purchase; completion of path finding and qualification for a terminal controller workstation display monitor replacement, tower controller monitor replacement, and elimination of the costly inter-dependency of the system processors and operating system; qualification of “pop-up” end of life hardware items; and program and system engineering technical support of activities.
- Terminal Enhancements. These activities include STARS software enhancements as well as other various system enhancement activities. As STARS enters the operational phase of its life cycle, software enhancements are required to the baseline software to improve system performance, efficiency, ease of use and support, and incorporate safety and security modifications. These software baseline enhancements are required to ensure the agency continues to meet its strategic goals for increased safety and greater capacity as identified in the FAA Flight Plan, 2005-2009. Planned activities also include program and system engineering technical support, and operational/suitability testing of software and system enhancements.
TAMR Phase 2:
This Phase of the TAMR Program addresses the operational shortfall at nine high-risk sites including five ARTS IIE and four ARTS-IIIE Full Digital ARTS Display (FDAD) sites. The ARTS-IIE requires upgrades to both the communications infrastructure and the old displays. The ARTS-IIIE/FDADs require similar display and processor upgrades to meet the current and projected growth at the large OEP airports. Additionally NTSB recommendations cannot be implemented until the displays are replaced at the ARTS-IIIE sites.
In FY 2007, the FAA is deploying STARS to three sites to replace the ARTS IIE systems. Additionally, the design, development and production of hardware and software necessary to modernize the ARTS IIE//FDAD sites will be completed.
In FY 2008, the FAA will complete the deployment of hardware/software necessary to modernize the ARTS IIE//FDAD at the four sites. Replacement of the remaining ARTS IIE systems with the STARS system will be completed once facilities construction projects are completed at the remaining two sites. In the next phase (Phase 3), the FAA will evaluate viable alternatives for completing terminal modernization at remaining sites, based on cost benefit and performance
Operational Benefits:
TAMR Phase 1:
STARS is fully digital and capable of tracking all aircraft within the defined terminal airspace using available FAA and DoD surveillance or with system upgrades to global positioning satellite reports. It provides functions equivalent to or better than those accomplished by the existing terminal automation systems along with enhanced security. It is designed to incorporate new functionality more quickly and easily. STARS’ infrastructure can be expanded and extended to meet increased traffic demands and accommodate the introduction of new automation functions necessary for improved safety, efficiency, and capacity.
TAMR Phase 2:
The benefits that the STARS system provides in Phase 1 will also be provided at the five sites in this Phase. Additionally, this Phase upgrades the existing automation system at an additional four sites to a state-of-the-art digital, radar and flight data processing and display system, providing new air traffic control workstations and backroom automation equipment that will enable the safe and efficient control of air traffic; provide the ability to incorporate new functionality more quickly and easily; and, enable the expansion of system capabilities to meet future air traffic capacity demands .
