Will the USAF Need Ground-Based Air Traffic Control Radar in the Year 2000

摘要

Advanced technology in military aviation is developing rapidly. The Global Positioning System (GPS) and Microwave Landing System (MLS) will give the pilot precision navigation capability when fully deployed in the 1990s. The Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) will give the pilot the capability to display enemy and friendly aircraft in his area in his cockpit. At the same time, our mobile air traffic control (ATC) radars are aging and need to be replaced. But, with the new technology in the cockpit, it may be more feasible to eliminate ground-based ATC radar and let the pilot do his own ATC from the cockpit. This study examines the feasibility of a cockpit-based ATC system by looking at the requirement for military ATC, specific capabilities that new technologies give the pilot, and human considerations in a cockpit-based ATC system. The study concludes that a cockpit-based ATC system is not feasible and that there will be a need for ground-based ATC radar, at least through the year 2000. (Author)