Interagency Coordination In The Advancement and Deployment of Air Traffic Management Systems

The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) is designed to modernize the antiquated systems that comprise the National Airspace System (NAS). This large-scale effort aims to meet current and future demands for aerospace traffic, while enhancing safety and efficiency with a state-of-the-art air traffic control system. This program has drawn significant attention from airspace stakeholders due to its large scale, accelerated timeline, and critical importance to U.S. aviation safety.

The NAS is a shared resource between the FAA and the Department of Defense (DoD). The DoD manages about 20 percent of domestic U.S. airspace, and in many locations, jointly controls both military and civilian air traffic. This includes Special Use Airspace, which encompasses prohibited areas, restricted areas, military operating areas, military training routes, controlled live weapons firing ranges, and national security areas. When it comes to aerospace management, the DoD is the most extensive NAS stakeholder besides the FAA.

Why It Matters ?

Because the FAA is the Title 49 lead agency for national airspace management, it must coordinate closely with both the DoD (Title 10) regarding the activity of the armed forces and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (Title 6), regarding domestic security operations.

As BNATCS requirements, modeling, planning, acquisition, testing, and deployment move forward, it is essential to integrate the needs of these stakeholders. Without deliberate interagency coordination, there is a risk of misalignment, reduced interoperability, and delays in achieving the safety and security standards required for this shared domain. This need for coordination becomes even clearer when viewed against the scale and complexity of today’s National Airspace System.