Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tactical Briefcase

The MCATS system will provide two fundamental capabilities. 1) Initiating air traffic control and air surveillance for where none previously existed, and 2) Improving the overall mission effectiveness of advanced party teams. The approach is to integrate advanced materials, network centric interoperability, and advanced work-center techniques. This will broaden its effectiveness as a multi-role sensor integration system in providing ATC, or terminal approach and enroute or air surveillance. Basic air traffic control capabilities define the core requirements for providing sensor interfaces, developing the air picture, and providing basic approach control. More stringent communication requirements are introduced to support the tactical and covert operating environment. This would support a scenario for an advanced party establishing basic ATC capabilities prior to the deployment of the MACS or Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS). The MCATS vision is to provide sufficient ATC capability to meets performance requirements and to be able to do this in an expeditious or covert manner.