Raytheon Develops Integrated Air Traffic Control System Prototype

Raytheon has developed an air traffic control system that consolidates the functions of various airspace management platforms, including keyboards, trackballs and monitors. Its Multi-platform Automation Re-Hosting Solution is a customizable workstation that has open-architecture features and includes 43-inch touchscreen monitors for visualizing airport, weather, surveillance and flight data, Raytheon said Thursday.

The prototype system also works with the company’s Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System for monitoring take-off and landing activities as well as other applications, including voice recorders, airport surface detection technologies and electronic flight strip systems. In addition, MARS can be used to monitor oceanic and en route flights or flights beyond the terminal airspace.

“Today, you need different equipment depending on your role,” said Jackie Dent, Raytheon’s project lead for the MARS effort. “If you have five systems at a workstation, then you’d have five displays, five keyboards, five trackballs. MARS reduces that to two displays, one track pad and one tablet that’s a virtual keyboard.”

MARS is intended to support air traffic management following the end of the STARS platform’s service life in 2025. Raytheon demonstrated a proof of concept for MARS at various shows last year.