Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) from Raytheon

The Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) from Raytheon Company in Waltham, Mass., provides a state-of-the-art air traffic control (ATC) system for managing terminal area airspace for both the Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Defense (DOD).

STARS receives radar data and flight plan information and presents the information on high-resolution, 20-inch x 20-inch color displays, enabling air traffic controllers to monitor, control, and accept hand-off of air traffic.

The Terminal Controller Workstations (TCW) provide position-by-position in-place replacement of failing existing system displays. They provide up to 14 adaptable data block types and 16 adaptable list types to accommodate current and future display requirements. The TCW also provides controllers with preference sets that allow for ease in shift changes and re-sectorization.

The color displays are specially developed for air traffic control and are capable of displaying six distinct levels of weather data (identified by different colors) simultaneously with air traffic, enabling controllers to direct aircraft around bad weather.

STARS is capable of tracking up to 1,350 airborne aircraft simultaneously within a terminal area. The system interfaces with multiple radars (up to 16 short and long range), 128 controller positions, 20 remote towers, and a 400-by-400-mile area of coverage.

STARS has two separate, redundant automation systems running in parallel providing an instantaneous back-up service to controllers. The Full Service Level (FSL) is based on Raytheon's AutoTrac air traffic management (ATM) system and the Emergency Service Level (ESL) is based on Raytheon's TracView automation product.

Raytheon's DOD STARS, also known as DOD Advanced Automated Systems (DAAS), provides a state-of-the-art air traffic control system for managing terminal area airspace for the US military. DoD STARS includes 191 RAPCON facilities with 59 associated towers and 21 stand-alone towers.