1. F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N Next Generation Air/Ground Communications System (NEXCOM) Jim Eck Air/Ground Communications Team Lead Technical Operations Communications April 20, 2004 Program Status Brief for ACP WG-C Montreal, Canada

2. F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N 2 National Airspace System Air/Ground Communications Infrastructure VHF and UHF ATC bands Approximately 11,000 VHF assignments Approximately 40,000 VHF and 10,000 UHF TX, RX & TCVRs Dedicated networks for each operational environment Limited restoral capabilities Limited remote maintenance capability 61 AFSSs, 14 FSSs Automated Flight Service Stations, Flight Service Stations 21 ARTCCs & 3 CERAPs Air Route Traffic Control Center, Combined Center Radar Approach Control 793 RCAGs Remote Communications Air/Ground 1854 RCOs Remote Communicatio ns Outlet 175 TRACONs Terminal Radar Approach Control 1422 RTRs Remote Transmitter Receiver 346 Airport Towers 720 BUECs Back up Emergency Communications

3. F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N 3 Mission Need Statement #137 In 1995, DOT/FAA approves the Mission Need Statement for the Next Generation A/G Communications System (NEXCOM). Mission Need Statement #137 –Alleviate the spectrum congestion problem –Reduce maintenance costs of radio systems –Reduce A/G radio frequency (RF) interference and Increase security/channel control –Establish a communications path for data link for all users –Provide flexibility for future growth of services Need still valid - timing of investment being reconsidered

4. F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N 4 Current Realities 9-11 / economics * –Rule deferred Spectrum congestion currently anticipated –2012 to 2016 Program funding –Reduced in FY04 –Eliminated in FY05-07 –Restarted in FY08 * No International Agreement on Communications

5. F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N 5 Planned Program Activities* Continue Multimode Digital Radio program Continue Avionics development Interoperability Testing with Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) Joint Future Communication Study with EUROCONTROL NAS Communications Evolution Plan Spectrum Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) * Subject to Executive Council Approval

6. F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N 6 NEXCOM Program Elements Multimode Digital Radio (MDR) 2 analog and 1 digital mode in one radio Certified Avionics Development Analog and digital voice/data in a single cockpit radio Demo/Stakeholder Outreach Show NEXCOM system architecture and commercial avionics viability Ground System Rapid Preliminary Development Effort and Full Scale Development MDR Radio Interface Unit Ground Network Interface Deferred

7. F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N 7 Vocoder Certification Vocoder certification to DO-178B level C –Seattle and Wichita ACOs agree approach Certification data package to ACO Mar 2004 First Reusable Software Component (RSC) certification package –Can be used on other radio systems (e.g. satellite radios) –Approved 14 April 2004 DVSI provide certification package –Vocoder license, software and certification data package –Direct delivery to manufacturers Final certification part of radio certification

8. F E D E R A L A V I A T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N A I R T R A F F I C O R G A N I Z A T I O N 8 Summary US program funding long-lead items –Multimode Digital Radio Deployment –Avionics Development and Forward Fit And exploring potential future interoperable communications solutions. –FAA/EUROCONTROL Future Communications Study –US/Japan Interoperability Testing