UFA delivers ATCOACH test and training simulator enhancement for STARS ADS-B support

The STARS Program is a joint FAA and Department of Defense (DoD) program to replace capacity-constrained, older technology systems at FAA and DoD terminal radar approach control facilities and associated towers. This marks the 65th consecutive on-time / on-budget delivery of ATCoach in support of the STARS Program since its inception in 1996. The ATCoach product has been customized to meet the specific requirements of the FAA terminal environment and is deployed with each FAA and DoD STARS System. ATCoach drives the STARS system with realistic surveillance, flight, weather and aeronautical data supporting multiple concurrent exercises and multiple site exercises. STARS/ATCoach now includes support for ADS-B. This delivery provides support for enhanced ADS-B sensor definitions, multiple Service Volumes, Service Volume Grids, multiple Radio Stations, ASTERIX Categories 23 and 33 messaging, the Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) link, and the multi-sector Mode-S Extended Squitter (1090 ES) link. The UAT and 1090 ES links are two different ADS-B data links adopted by the US. ATCoach simulation technology supports the FAAs mission to accelerate its training process to help meet attrition-driven re-staffing needs during the next 10 years. ATCoach provides terminal air traffic controllers with the most modern and highest fidelity simulation and training technology available. Based on dynamic simulation modeling, ATCoach provides comprehensive test capability for STARS. It is used in subsystem, system and operational test scenarios, enabling Raytheon and the FAA to reach test goals and milestones faster and with greater cost and schedule efficiency. UFA also supplies embedded ATCoach simulation technology for the FAA User Request Evaluation Tool (URET) and En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) programs. ATCoach has been integrated with other key FAA systems such as Host/DSR and is used by participants of the FAA Collegiate Training Initiative program and providers of air navigation services worldwide.