Automated Air Traffic Control (ATC)

This Phase I proposal describes a study for determining the feasibility of developing an automated air traffic control (AutoATC) capability for military simulation. We describe an integrative vision of a network-based cognitive systems approach to developing an AutoATC that will provide ATC control to aircraft in rear, close, and forward operations. The AutoATC will interact with human and simulated entities in the battlespace, using voice and data link technologies. Feasibility will be determined by gathering requirements on how the AutoATC would perform technically, integrate with legacy systems, and be used in simulation-based training or experimentation. With the help of former Army ATCs and simulation operators, we will gather requirements using different task analysis techniques to gauge the breadth of the ATC task. We will evaluate current technology, including various COTS and GOTS simulation environments, distributed simulation protocols, and voice interface technology to determine what technology exists to meet the requirements for an AutoATC, and what gaps would need to be filled with new development. In Phase I, we will develop a plan for filling these gaps, and describe an integration path to pull these pieces together.