America's air traffic system is the best in the world. It is made up of people, machines, and programs that safely and efficiently handle more traffic than any other air traffic system in the world. Due to ever-increasing traffic and congestion, the air traffic system faces the challenge of upgrading its aging infrastructure and taking advantage of advances in technology.
ARU, which is more formally known as the Air Traffic Systems Development organization, plays a critical role in making sure that our air traffic system continues to operate safely and efficiently in the future. To meet this challenge, ARU takes the needs for better, faster machines and programs and transforms them into specific requirements that contractors can supply.
The way this works is ARU staff members serve as the air traffic system requirements leads on integrated product teams in the service areas described below. In this capacity, we work closely with system users to ensure that all the requirements that the teams have identified are not only included in contract specifications, but also result in effective and maintainable solutions.

ARU-100 is active in four areas related to en-route operations.

Display System Replacement
Today's en-route automation infrastructure consists of the HOST computer system and the Display System Replacement (DSR). DSR has modernized the radar display systems used at en-route centers in the contiguous United States and Alaska. The DSR is constantly improving to assist in streamlining controller interaction with the equipment. Through close collaboration with user groups such as the Air Traffic DSR Evolution Team and the Program Offices, ARU-100 ensures that only the highest quality products are delivered to FAA facilities.

Host and Oceanic Computer System Replacement
HOCSR is a four-phased program designed to modernize the NAS through:

• Replacement of the main processors for the Host, Oceanic Display and Planning System and the Oceanic Flight Data Processing System. This phase is now complete.
• Upgrade national airspace system software to operate in the Native System/390 mode of new computer hardware. It provides a common monitor for en-route and oceanic systems. This phase is now complete.
• Replace the Direct Access Storage Devices. This phase is now complete.
• Replace remaining peripherals (tapes, terminals, printers and communications equipment). This phase is in the engineering planning stage.

En-Route Automation Modernization
ERAM is long-range program will replace existing software and interfaces that make up the flight data processing and radar/surveillance data processing components of the current NAS HOST software. ERAM will remove software components currently in HOST that are not critical to air traffic (i.e., training, general information messaging, weather data messaging, enhanced traffic management system messaging and other administrative functions) so that they are operationally separate and managed apart from the critical software used for air traffic. We will do this by offloading the non-critical elements now sent through the HOST to the En Route Information Display System (ERIDS).

En-Route Communications Gateway
The ECG program will replace the existing Peripheral Adapter Module Replacement Item subsystem. ECG will provide the same interfaces and enhance surveillance and communication. ECG will provide network interfaces and protocols for future Internet Protocol Local Area Network compatible systems. This system will have a higher capacity and use commercial-off-the-shelf technology supporting future modernization and growth. ECG will transport and process all of the data traffic and perform the required protocol and format conversions necessary to ensure meeting system objectives and provide the versatility to migrate from the legacy systems.

ARU-200 provides solutions in several areas, including:

Enhanced Traffic Management Systems
These systems are used by FAA traffic management coordinators to track, predict and plan air traffic flow; analyze ground delay effects, and evaluate alternative routing strategies. The Departure Spacing Program (DSP) is another traffic management initiative under development.

Oceanic/Offshore Automation
In the Oceanic arena, the Advanced Technologies and Oceanic Procedures program will modernize and provide architecture to replace the Oceanic Display and Processing System, the Offshore Flight Data Processing System, and the Interim Situation Display. Additionally, ARU-200 supports the Micro-EARTS systems utilized by various offshore facilities. This includes providing requirement management, logistic support and assessments for future replacements.

Weather Prediction Programs
ARU-200 supports the integrated product team assigned to the Weather and Radar Processor (WARP) and is the requirement and development focal point for the Corridor Weather Information System, currently in prototype use in the Northeast corridor. ARU-200 also provides requirement leadership in the Capstone program in the Alaskan region. ARU-200 has requirement and solution implementation responsibilities relating to WARP and the proposed Global Weather Information System replacement program.

ARU-300 manages system requirements in the following areas:

National Airspace System Infrastructure Management System
This system manages the services provided by NAS infrastructure facilities, equipment, subsystems, and service providers. NIMS provides the automated tools, information infrastructure, and remote management capabilities required to modernize Airway Facilities' operations and maintenance practices. NIMS enables us to more efficiently use available resources to meet the increasing demand for services, while maintaining safety.

Automated Flight Service Stations
Our current modernization efforts include the replacement of the existing Flight Service Automation System with the Operational and Supportability Implementation System (OASIS). OASIS is based on commercially available software and will provide communications, emergency assistance, flight planning, and weather briefing capabilities between the flight service specialist and the pilot.

Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs)
NOTAMs contain important information that pilots need on an expedited basis. We are automating delivery of NOTAMs in the national airspace system.

• In Federal contract air traffic control towers, we will provide NOTAMS via a personal computer with Internet access.
• In the existing Full Capacity Automated Flight Service Stations, the NOTAMs Short Term Solution will both provide local NOTAMs and correct NOTAMs saturation display problems on an interim basis until OASIS arrives.
• We will equip FAA Towers and TRACONs with ACE/IDS hardware and NOTAMs client software to process NOTAMs from the consolidated NOTAMs system.
• We will use the En-Route Information Display System to provide an automated delivery of NOTAMs in the en-route air traffic control center

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