Air Traffic Control: Observations on FAA's Air Traffic Control Modernization Program

摘要

In 1981, FAA began a multibillion-dollar modernization effort to improve the safety, capacity, and efficiency of this system to meet the increasing demand for air traffic services and to replace aging equipment. The agency's most recent estimate is that it will spend approximately $41 billion on the modernization effort through 2004. FAA has had some success in deploying new modernization systems over the past two decades. However, the agency has not delivered most of its major systems within cost, schedule, and performance goals due largely to its failure to implement established guidelines for acquiring new systems. Implementing disciplined acquisition management practices is key to allowing the agency to consistently deliver new systems within established goals. In light of past problems and continuing concerns about key projects funded under this program, you asked us to provide current information on the status of the modernization program based on prior reports and testimonies as well as ongoing work. Our statement will focus on (1) the causes of the problems that have plagued FAA'S modernization program for nearly two decades and (2) recent agency efforts to overcome these problems. We will also discuss our concerns about the readiness of FAA and others to meet Year 2000 requirements.