Northrop Grumman Helps FAA with Wind Shear Alerts

Air traffic controllers may begin to provide pilots with more timely and accurate alerts on wind shear, microbursts and other severe weather when the FAA starts installing a new computer program called Weather Systems Processors. The FAA has awarded a $14.2 million contract to Northrop Grumman in Baltimore to complete WSP "design, software development and limited production and installation of four systems." A contract option includes additional development for final production systems at up to 40 medium- and high-density airports. The initial four systems-intended to be available by the end of 1999-will be installed at FAA facilities in Oklahoma City and Atlantic City, NJ, as well as the international airports in Albuquerque and in Austin, TX.