Fort Stewart Contracts for
IDS5
FORT STEWART, Georgia (May 11, 2009) - Fort Stewart, home of the
Third Infantry Division, has contracted with Systems Atlanta, Inc. (SAI) to
equip their air traffic control (ATC) towers, Base Operations, Ground
Controlled Approach (GCA) and range control facilities with SAI’s Integrated
Information Display & Dissemination System (IDS5) at Wright and Hunter Army
Airfields. IDS5 will allow Fort
Stewart’s personnel to display and share critical and non-critical
operational information between the facilities.
Controllers will have the ability to update information that will be
transmitted instantaneously to all other workstations on the network
significantly reducing voice communication and coordination.
IDS5 users will also have static information such as aviation
regulations and operational checklists available to them at the touch of a
button creating a “one stop shopping” display platform, enhancing
operational efficiency and safety.
Further, each tower will be equipped with an Automated Terminal
Information System (ATIS).
The StarCaster® Digital-ATIS system (developed by STR-SpeechTech Ltd.)
allows ATC personnel to create ATIS messages and broadcast them in digital
voice format over assigned radio frequencies, greatly reducing controller
workload. Also, clarity and
standardization of message content in digital format improves the flying
environment and increases safety in the aviation community.
Wright AAF tower will also
employ StarCaster® Digital-RIS software (developed by STR-SpeechTech Ltd.)
which will broadcast range information on applicable frequencies.
SAI is a distributer of Starcaster®
products in the U.S.
In addition, the systems will be further enhanced with external
data interfaces to the New Tactical Forecast System (N-TFS), the
Flight Data Input/Output (FDIO) system, and the StarCaster®
Digital-ATIS system.
IDS5 N-TFS Interface: The IDS5 N-TFS Interface receives data directly from the
New-Tactical Forecast system for real-time display and
distribution throughout all interconnected IDS5 workstations.
Both local and remote weather data, including forecasts, are
received from the N-TFS. Local data includes the current
observations, forecast, weather advisory, weather warning,
weather watch, real-time wind speed, wind direction, gusts, wind
variability, crosswinds, altimeter, and RVR. The NTFS Interface
will also allow these AAF’s to receive weather data from the Air
Force/Army Joint Environmental Toolkit (JET), soon to be
deployed at Fort Stewart.
StarCaster® Digital-ATIS: The IDS5 Starcaster® Digital-ATIS Interface automatically
transfers the weather observation from IDS5 to Starcaster® ATIS
for controller review and incorporation into the ATIS message.
Additional information (e.g., advisories, NOTAMs, etc.) can be
manually incorporated into Starcaster® ATIS and transmitted as a
part of the ATIS message. This is a bi-directional interface.
Once the ATIS message is committed for broadcast, Starcaster®
ATIS automatically updates the ATIS code in IDS5.
Flight Data Input/Output (FDIO): The IDS5 interface to the FDIO system allows
automatic reception and display of Significant Meteorological
Events (SIGMETs), Center Weather Advisories (CWAs), Traffic
Management Units (TMUs), General Information (GI), and other
FDIO messages in IDS5.
In Base Operations, IDS5 will support the receipt and transmission
of important airfield data such as NOTAMs; runway/taxiway conditions,
closures, or restrictions; NAVAID and/or airfield light status; bird
aircraft strike hazard (BASH); and other information relevant to the local
aviation environment. This will greatly reduce the need for voice
communication/coordination between the ATC and Base Operations.
About Systems Atlanta
Systems Atlanta is an industry leader in the area of integrated
data systems for air traffic control and the aviation industry. SAI has over
30 years experience providing technologically advanced, cost effective IDS
solutions for civilian and military customers.