FAA seeks industry input to upgrade aging airport radar systems
WASHINGTON - The Federal Aviation Administation (FAA) is updating and replacing aging radar systems in U.S. airspace, specifically in terminal areas within 60 nautical miles of airports and is looking for industry insight as part of its Airspace Non-Cooperative Surveillance Radar (ANSR) program, which will replace the outdated ASRs. The ANSR program aims to sustain non-cooperative surveillance, improve radar coverage, reduce false detections from wind turbine interference, enhance detection algorithms, and modernize data protocols to align with current cybersecurity standards.
The FFA notes that primary radars, such as the ASR-8, ASR-9, and ASR-11, detect aircraft through reflections from the airframe, while the secondary Cooperative Surveillance Radars (CSR) use transponders on equipped aircraft to obtain identification and altitude. This combined radar data supports FAA automation systems by delivering both cooperative and non-cooperative target reports.
These systems were not designed to meet modern standards for cybersecurity and data communications or handle new challenges such as interference from wind turbines. With limited availability of replacement parts, the FAA has had to rely on cannibalizing equipment from decommissioned systems to keep others operational, sometimes even running radars in single-channel mode for extended periods.
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The FAA is currently evaluating acquisition strategies for ANSR, including direct procurement or contracting non-cooperative radar data as a service. Under the service model, the FAA would obtain data feeds from private vendors but would not own or maintain the radar equipment. Any service provider would need to meet performance standards, including NIST 800-53 Rev 5 cybersecurity controls, and provide data over private telecom infrastructure to FAA service delivery points.
The FAA says that submissions, particularly non-proprietary, are encouraged to facilitate FAA’s acquisition planning, and confidential submissions will be handled as such. Written responses are due via email by 15 January 2025 by 4 p.m. Eastern to Chris Archer at [email protected]. Additional information, including documentation, is available at https://sam.gov/opp/8320a88800d24e0ebad635f030604563/view.
Jamie Whitney
Jamie Whitney joined the staff of Military & Aerospace Electronics and Intelligent Aerospace. He brings seven years of print newspaper experience to the aerospace and defense electronics industry.
Whitney oversees editorial content for the Intelligent Aerospace Website, as well as produce news and features for Military & Aerospace Electronics, attend industry events, produce Webcasts, oversee print production of Military & Aerospace Electronics, and expand the Intelligent Aerospace and Military & Aerospace Electronics franchises with new and innovative content.
