Raytheon Intelligence & Space (RI&S) has received a five-year, $223 million contract to continue system integration, sustainment, and enhancement of the FAA’s Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS). Part of a 10-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity, the latest contract provides for RI&S to continue as the STARS system integrator and oversee technology refresh, deployment of future applications, and any other improvements and initiatives to sustain STARS, the company said.
The contract extends a more than a two-decade-long partnership that RI&S has had with the FAA on the program. The company developed the system in concert with the FAA, controllers, and system specialists.
“RI&S will provide operational support and sustainment of the 700-plus operational STARS systems worldwide for the FAA and the Department of Defense under the new contract,” said Denis Donohue, v-p of communications and airspace management systems for RI&S. “This is key to advancing the FAA’s NextGen modernization initiative to help keep our skies and the public safe.”
Considered a cornerstone of the FAA’s NextGen air traffic control modernization program, STARS integrates the computer system used by air traffic controllers at terminal facilities into a single advanced platform. The system gives controllers a full and precise picture of the airspace; allows them to manage and verify spacing, direction, headings, and vectors; and provides conflict alerts and weather advisories.
The FAA said STARS has reduced training, support, and maintenance costs, and made new procedures easier to introduce. It has been deployed at all FAA terminal radar approach control facilities, Defense Department radar approach control facilities, and FAA/DOD air traffic control towers.