Ashore ATC Equipment

LI 2820 - Ashore ATC Equipment is a Navy budget line item under Other Procurement, Navy, focused on Communications & Electronics Equipment for Aviation Electronic Equipment. The goal is to modernize, sustain, and enhance shore-based Air Traffic Control (ATC) and landing systems at Navy and Marine Corps air stations, ensuring safe and efficient aircraft operations in both peacetime and combat environments. The program supports integration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and aligns with joint DoD/FAA modernization efforts, maintaining interoperability and compliance with national airspace requirements.

MATCALS (Marine Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems) aims to provide continuous, all-weather radar and non-radar ATC services for Marine, Joint, and Coalition aviation operations. Objectives include procuring Maintainability/Reliability Improvements (MRI) for deployable ATC equipment and supporting safe aviation control in expeditionary and forward operating environments. Funding will deliver ATNAVICS tech refreshes, Expeditionary TACAN kits, and various MRI efforts to address obsolescence and evolving operational needs as outlined in USMC Force Design 2030.

NASMOD (National Airspace System Modernization) is a joint DoD/FAA initiative to upgrade Navy and Marine Corps ATC facilities in line with FAA's NextGen Air Transportation System. The program seeks to procure and install modern voice switches, automation systems, and surveillance radars to replace aging equipment and ensure interoperability. Funding will support NAS Voice Switch tech refreshes, DAAS tech refresh upgrades, DASR tech refresh upgrades, TAS tech refresh upgrades, and related engineering change proposals, sustaining compliance with FAA modernization mandates.

Fleet ATC Systems focuses on the modernization and replacement of aging ATC communications and surveillance equipment at Navy and Marine Corps facilities. Objectives include upgrading UHF/VHF antennas, replacing obsolete ATC recorders, and enhancing fiber optic intersite communications systems. Funding will procure antenna upgrades, recorder upgrades, FOCIS upgrades, and support various engineering change proposals to improve ATC efficiency, safety, and reduce long-term maintenance costs.

Landing Systems provides funding to modernize Precision Approach Radars (PAR), Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) systems, Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), and other navigational aids. The goals are to replace obsolete systems, improve reliability, and support safe aircraft recovery operations. Funding will support TACAN antenna upgrades, shore antenna replacements, TACAN Beacon Series 2 upgrades, and landing system tech refreshes, addressing obsolescence and aligning with fleet operational requirements.

Key Individual Modifications within LI 2820 include ATNAVICS Precision Approach Radar Replacement to resolve obsolescence and support multiple runway coverage, AN/TPN-31(V)7 ATNAVICS Technical Refresh for emerging technology integration, MJ667 Expeditionary TACAN Obsolescence to replace obsolete TACAN systems, CB010 DoD Advanced Automation System (DAAS) for tower and approach control automation, CB080 NAS Voice System (NVS) for modern voice communications, and a series of tech refresh upgrades for DAAS, TAS, and DASR systems to maintain compliance and operational effectiveness.

Justification and Strategic Alignment for this budget line centers on the need to address increasing system obsolescence, maintain interoperability with FAA systems, and support evolving mission requirements for both Navy and Marine Corps aviation. The program is responsive to directives such as the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and USMC Force Design 2030, ensuring that ATC and landing systems remain reliable, secure, and capable of supporting current and future operational demands. Funding is distributed across these initiatives to optimize safety, efficiency, and readiness of shore-based aviation operations.