Air Traffic Control & Landing Sys

The Air Traffic Control & Landing Systems (ATCALS) program is a centrally managed Air Force initiative under budget line item 833010. It is designed to ensure that air traffic control (ATC) facilities and equipment can safely and efficiently support enroute and terminal operations in both benign and combat environments. The goal is to maintain, upgrade, and modernize fixed-base and tactical radars, navigation aids (NAVAIDS), voice communication systems, and automation platforms. ATCALS systems enable air traffic controllers to provide advisory, sequencing, separation, and landing guidance services to all aircraft in assigned airspace, with interoperability requirements for systems operated by other military services, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and host nations. This program supports homeland defense, domestic emergency response, and military support to civil authorities as mandated by Section 1815 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act.

Expeditionary Scalable Mobile Air Traffic System is a key procurement focus for FY 2026, with funds allocated for government-furnished equipment and program support costs. This system includes the Multi-Capable Radar (MCR) and Control Tower (CT), providing Africa Command (AFRICOM) with advanced capabilities such as ATC radar surveillance, tactical command and control, integrated air and missile defense tracking, and counter-small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) detection. The system is cyber hardened and supports Mode-5/Mode-S identification and surveillance. It is designed for rapid deployment and transport via ground vehicle or airlift (C-130, C-17, CH-47), supporting expeditionary operations in austere environments.

ATCALS Fixed Base (FB) Navigational Aids (NAVAIDS) Family of Systems (FOS) is another major objective, with FY 2026 funds supporting procurement, site preparation, and installation of one Doppler VOR (dVOR) system and twelve remote maintenance and monitoring (RMM) systems. This FOS includes Tactical Navigation (TACAN), VHF Omnidirectional Ranging (VOR), and combined VORTAC systems, all of which are being upgraded to meet modern standards. The upgrades include transitioning from Windows-7 to Windows-11 processors and replacing copper wire connections with fiber-optic cable, in compliance with DoD Chief Information Officer (CIO) mandates for analog-to-digital conversion. These improvements are intended to reduce pilot training costs and increase throughput at Air Education and Training Command (AETC) bases.

Fixed Base Instrument Landing System (FB-ILS) procurement is a new start in FY 2026, with funding allocated for two systems, including site preparation and installation. FB-ILS provides both horizontal (localizer) and vertical (glide slope) guidance, enabling precision approaches in inclement weather. The systems will be installed at U.S. Air Force Europe (USAFE) bases to replace end-of-life equipment and at Joint Reserve Base New Orleans for the Air National Guard (ANG). These upgrades are critical for maintaining operational safety and reliability in key locations.

Man-Portable (MP) Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) is targeted for procurement of thirteen systems in FY 2026, replacing legacy 1980s-era equipment that is no longer supportable. The MP-TACAN provides point-to-point navigation and instrument flight approaches to operating sites and landing zones, which is essential for mission success in adverse weather and GPS-denied environments. Technical data, training materials, and first article testing are included to ensure rapid fielding and operational readiness for both active duty and Air National Guard units.

Pacific Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Concept (PMTEC) supports distributed airfield operations, training, and exercises across the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) area of responsibility. While no FY 2026 funds are requested, prior year investments included procurement of advanced radio systems to enable robust communications for landing zone operations and multi-domain exercises. The program aligns with government efficiency initiatives and supports the administration's cost-saving policies.