ADS-B uses information from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to pinpoint an aircraft's exact location in the sky. By combining this information with information on an aircraft's type, speed, direction, and flight number, both pilots and air traffic controllers will be able to see the same real-time display of air traffic.

This improved situational awareness will allow pilots to maintain safe separation from other aircraft and will also likely reduce the risk of runway incursions. Implementing ADS-B will also result in increased airspace capacity; its accurate tracking will enable aircraft to fly safely and predictably with less distance between them.

"The benefits of ADS-B to the FAA and the airspace community have been proven over the last eight years through the FAA's Safe Flight-21 program," remarked Sue Corcoran, vice president of Aviation Solutions, Lockheed Martin Transportation and Security Solutions. "Our team members have successfully partnered with the FAA during Safe Flight-21, and we are eager to continue this partnership as the FAA expands this capability nationally, bringing benefits to all aviation stakeholders."

Lockheed Martin has assembled a team with multi-disciplinary expertise so, if selected, it can successfully perform on the ADS-B program. The team's capabilities and roles include the following:

Lockheed Martin Corporation will be responsible for overall system design, integration, deployment, transition, and operations. In addition, the company will leverage its eight years of experience of integrating ADS-B functionality into its en route and terminal automation systems in Alaska as part of Project Capstone and in the Ohio Valley as part of the Cargo Airline initiative to ensure a smooth transition of this functionality into the national airspace system.

Sensis Corporation will be responsible for the ground receiver technology that is essential for the success of the ADS-B program. A pioneer in developing and implementing ADS-B, Sensis supplied 178 ADS-B transceivers to the FAA as part of the Capstone program in Alaska and the Future Surveillance program on the East Coast, Arizona and North Dakota.

This has provided the broadcast of surveillance information from the aircraft to the controller as well as the broadcast of traffic and flight information from the ground to the aircraft (Traffic Information Services - Broadcast and Flight Information Services - Broadcast).The company also fielded the first operational ADS-B transceivers for both the Mode S Extended Squitter and Universal Access Transceiver datalinks in Australia in 2004 and Alaska in 2005.

To date, the company has installed more than 750 ADS-B compatible ground stations worldwide. Rannoch Corporation will support Sensis in its role.

As part of continuing service over the lifetime of the program, Harris Corporation will manage the interoperable exchange of cooperative surveillance data. The company will provide network capabilities to move the ADS-B information where it is needed, when it is needed, with a high degree of security assurance. With experience on ADS-B related technology stemming back to the mid-1990s, the company has been a thought leader on this initiative through its participation on various standards boards and committees.

Honeywell will leverage a long history of successful programs which includes installation, operations and management of critical infrastructure to help Lockheed Martin deploy and operate systems in the field. In a leading role on overall ADS-B avionics equipage, Honeywell will ensure the successful integration of any provider's avionics with ground equipment. The company will also assist with outreach to the aviation community, ensuring the insights of key stakeholders are reflected in the system design and service offerings.

"If selected, we would be proud to bring the FAA the maximum value for the ADS-B program by building on the agency's current investments and leveraging our team's experience and investments to bring a balanced risk solution to this important initiative," said Corcoran.

"We understand the importance of successfully managing this program because, as an enabling technology, ADS-B will serve as the springboard for the required enhancements to meet the demands on the U. S. national airspace system in 2025."

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