The US Federal Aviation Administration is considering whether an alternative to the Raytheon Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) proposed by Lockheed Martin makes technical and economic sense following continued problems with STARS software. A senior FAA official says, how-ever, that the agency would prefer to stick with the Raytheon development.
The US Department of Transportation says STARS is four years behind schedule, $500 million over budget and projected to cost $1.4 billion when completed in 2008.
STARS is meant to replace the ageing terminal radar approach control (TRACON) system, which handles aircraft within 80km (50 miles) of major US airports. STARS will enable air traffic control equipment to be standardised at up to 172 FAA control centres and towers and nearly 200 US military sites.
Delays with STARS software development forced the FAA in 1999 to buy a rival system from Lockheed Martin for interim use at busy airports. Lockheed says the FAA should now scrap STARS in favour of additional Common Automated Radar Terminal Systems (Common ARTS) and ARTS colour displays.
Lockheed Martin Air Traffic Management's unsolicited firm fixed-price proposal urges the FAA to conduct an independent cost/ benefit analysis of STARS and ARTS. Lockheed Martin says it could complete deployment within three years, saving the FAA "hundreds of millions of dollars".
Raytheon says full STARS software will be available in October, adding that production and fielding of STARS is on schedule.
Steve Zaidman, the FAA's research and acquisitions chief, says the agency would like to stick with its current acquisition course since Raytheon appears to have overcome the technical issues.
Source: Flight International