The Air Force awarded Raytheon a contract to build rapidly deployable air traffic control systems, according to a May 20 company release. The contract, with a potential value of up to $260 million, calls for Raytheon to supply one test Deployable Radar Approach Control system and up to 18 production units; the Air Force has already authorized $50.6 million toward early development, states the release. “Our deployable system capitalizes on many years of investment and testing, and will support safe and efficient airspace operations in areas where air traffic infrastructure is compromised or non-existent,” said Joseph Paone, Raytheon’s air traffic management director. D-RAPCON consists of a transportable antenna plus three trailer-sized shelters that house radar equipment, communications systems, and an operations center, states the release.
Aircraft readiness will suffer if Congress does not approve some $1.5 billion worth of spare parts the Air Force requested in its annual Unfunded Priorities List, sent to Capitol Hill last week, Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin said.