In 2003, ATG (Art Technology Group) announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) successfully deployed the National Airspace System (NAS) Adaptation Services Environment (NASE), a robust data repository built on ATG technology that is designed to streamline the delivery of critical information to support air traffic control system personnel across the country.
A project of the FAA's Office of Information Services (AIO) and built with the help of global defense company Northrop Grumman, the NASE portal represents a means of simplifying one of the FAA's most mission-critical, yet time-consuming and labor intensive processes. Current FAA air traffic control systems have generic software applications that need to be "adapted" to the specific characteristics (i.e. airspace, runway layout, aircraft) of the NAS environment in which it will run.
Historically, these adaptations have resulted in a cumbersome level of information gathering because the requisite source data has been geographically dispersed and in various formats and release cycles. The ATG-based solution will provide a centralized flow of information through the FAA's technical center in New Jersey.
"By leveraging ATG technology, we were able to create for the FAA a portal that will improve not only the delivery of data, but also its quality since this portal will directly connect data suppliers with data users," said David Hinman, director of technology, Northrop Grumman. "This portal is in line with the AIO's overall data management initiatives and provides the FAA with a platform upon which it can build new applications in an e-business model."
Ultimately, the NASE portal could serve up to 50 of the FAA's programs, depending on the requirements of each community of users. The first NASE portal prototype provides support for the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System, which covers Terminal Radar Approach Control airspace, the area in a 60-mile radius around major airports. Next up is the Center Tracon Automation System, which supports controllers in the FAA's 20 regional Air Route Traffic Control Centers around the country.
In developing the NASE, the FAA partnered with Northrop Grumman, a premier provider of advanced information technology solutions, engineering and business services for government and commercial clients. The FAA and Northrop Grumman tapped into the award-winning personalization capabilities of ATG Portal. By leveraging personalization, the portal is able to present customized source data to different users based on their requirements of each. In addition, different levels of access are assigned to NASE users based on their roles.
The NASE will gradually expand into further communities over the next 24 months. Eventually, however, it could be used as a repository for other FAA initiatives such as the 10-year Operational Evolution Plan, which was recently approved by the Bush Administration.
"The NASE portal is the perfect example of a government agency modernizing information practices and creating a new system that will increase efficiency across the board," said John Dragoon, senior vice president of marketing and product management, ATG. "The flexibility and scalability of ATG's products provides the FAA a sound foundation for its technology future."