Global Air Traffic Management (GATM)

The Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) program, managed by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Aerospace Management Systems Division, focuses on enhancing the Air Force's capabilities in communications, navigation, and surveillance/air traffic management (CNS/ATM). This initiative is essential for ensuring that Air Force aircraft can operate safely and efficiently within both national and international airspace. It supports the development of strategies to update CNS/ATM capabilities across various Air Force weapon systems, tailoring these capabilities to meet the unique requirements of each airframe's avionics architecture and operational mission.

A key objective of the GATM program is to maintain a centralized repository of pre-approved CNS/ATM products through the CNS/ATM II Catalog. This catalog includes navigation safety avionics equipment, navigation data, and technical engineering services that are essential for numerous Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. federal agencies, and foreign military sales program offices. The program also focuses on auditing and certifying electronic navigational databases, such as the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's Digital Aeronautical Flight Information File (DAFIF), which provides critical safety information for flight operations under instrument flight rules.

Another significant goal is to engage with international civil aviation standards bodies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). By participating in these forums, the program seeks to influence civil aviation standards to incorporate DoD interests, ensuring that Air Force manned and unmanned aircraft can access global airspace safely. Additionally, it develops Generic Performance Matrices (GPMs) tailored to specific aircraft platforms to ensure compliance with emerging performance-based CNS/ATM requirements.

The GATM program also emphasizes cybersecurity assessments and interoperability testing to support modernizing interfaces for GPS M-Code, ARC-210 replacements, SATCOM upgrades, and performance-based navigation. These efforts are critical for maintaining operational readiness and enhancing navigation safety across all Major Commands (MAJCOMs) and over 30 Air Force weapon system program offices. Through these initiatives, the program aims to ensure that Air Force aircraft remain proficient and certified to operate effectively in worldwide civil airspace environments.