Problems with development of the Raytheon Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) have forced the US Federal Aviation Administration to delay its deployment. It will acquire a rival air traffic control system instead for interim use at some heavily used airports in New York and Washington DC.
STARS is meant to replace the agency's ageing terminal radar approach control (TRACON) system, which handles aircraft within 80km (45nm) of major US airports. Raytheon expects to earn more than $1 billion from the ATC programme, including US military procurement.
A prototype STARS is being tested at Eglin AFB in Florida, but technical problems have delayed fielding of the first operational unit which was to have been at Boston Logan International last December, with deliveries to FAA and US military sites running into 2007.
STARS will enable ATC equipment to be standardised at up to 172 FAA control centres and towers and nearly 200 US military sites.
Under the revised plan, so-called early display configurations (EDC) of STARS will be installed at TRACONs in Syracuse, New York and El Paso, Texas, for testing at the end of the year.
The agency says the revised deployment schedule and full programme costs will not be known until the third quarter.
As a stopgap measure, the FAA is buying colour controller displays from Lockheed Martin for use at the New York and Washington TRACONs. Others will be installed at similar systems in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and on new TRACONs in California and Georgia.
Raytheon says that the FAA erred in buying the Lockheed Martin ARTS Color Displays, expressing concern over cost and performance.
The company claims an independent evaluation would show that the EDC is superior and more cost-effective.
Source: Flight International
