Memphis International Airport is the first US airport where both a GPS-based Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS) airborne and ground equipment are in service. A Honeywell/Pelorus SLS-3000 LAAS ground station was installed in February. A FedEx Boeing 727-200 serving as a testbed is equipped with Rockwell Collins multi-mode receivers to communicate with the LAAS ground station.
LAAS augments the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), providing an all-weather approach and landing capability, including Category I, II and III precision approaches. It allows for curved approach paths, not possible using the current 40-year-old instrument landing systems.
In 1999, the FAA entered into cost-sharing partnerships for LAAS research and development and production with teams led by Honeywell and Raytheon competing for the work. Steven Hodges, LAAS product team leader, says the FAA is in the final stage of a deal with AIRSYS/ATM to add a third competitor.
LAAS procurement is being conducted in three phases, the first two involving procurement of up to 106 Category I systems, 60 of which will be upgraded later to Category II/III systems.
Release of a draft request for proposal (RFP) in July will be followed by the final RFP in October. Contract award is expected in April 2002 with initial operational capability (IOC) set for September 2003.
The FAA plans to procure a minimum of 114 CATII/III systems. A development contract is to be awarded in June 2003 with IOC set for March 2006.
The FAA is still finalising the acquisition strategy. "We are reviewing whether or not it is feasible to have multiple contractors for the development phase of the Category I LAAS programme," Hodges says.
The engineering and manufacturing development deal will include options for 10 low-rate initial production systems and 96 full-rate production units.
Source: Flight International
