Boeing Bids for ATM Primacy
Boeing has unveiled a concept to overhaul air traffic management
operations, betting on satellites as the enabler of safer, more
efficient air travel.
The opening salvo in Boeing's thrust into the ATM business follows
hot on the heals of a U.S. FAA plan to modernize and better integrate
its efforts in this area.
"We believe there's an achievable solution to this crisis
that provides greater safety, capacity, and affordability, plus
fewer delays," says John Hayhurst, president of Boeing's
ATM efforts.
Having significantly expanded its satellite building capability
by buying the business from Hughes Electronics, Boeing believes
it can provide a constellation to serve communications, navigation
and surveillance. Details are still sketchy, but Boeing predicts
that in conjunction with the FAA's effort, satellites can create
capacity for another 15 years worth of increases in air traffic.
With better airport infrastructure, the figure could grow to 25
years.
To achieve that vision, the company has laid out three basic thrusts:
giving participants in the U.S. national airspace system access
to the same set of data to better coordinate activities; precision
in displaying current and future aircraft locations; and improved
tools for air traffic controllers.
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