Raytheon Wins NextGen Study Contract

A team led by Raytheon was awarded a $2.3 million contract to study the NextGen Integrated Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (ICNS) architecture and determine the National Airspace System's needs for 2018 to 2025. Raytheon said the study analyzes ICNS interfaces to operator flight planning systems, aircraft capabilities, avionics functions and FAA automation systems. The contract was awarded by the NextGen Institute, a venture between the National Center for Advanced Technologies and FAA. The team includes Rockwell Collins, ARINC, Aviation Management Associates and Thales. "The next generation of airspace management must support a broad array of capabilities - from classic aircraft with minimal automation to highly integrated, multi-sensor aircraft, including unmanned aerial systems," said Andy Zogg, Raytheon vice president for Command and Control Systems. "Our study will identify the alternative CNS architecture needed to meet growing capacity while providing the efficiencies necessary to ensure safe operations."