The U.S. Navy awarded a $24 million contract to BAE Systems for the continued redesign of the AN/UPX-50(C) digital interrogator assemblies.

The cost-plus-fixed-fee contract is a modification to a previously issued basic ordering agreement to address parts obsolescence and implement solutions to achieve compliance with the latest specifications, qualification and certification standards for the Navy. Additionally, this order adds tasking for the integration of Target Report Processing capabilities into the Common Core DI, formerly hosted in the Interrogator Set, AN/UPX-24(V).

Capt. Beau Massenburg relieved Capt. Kevin J. Watkins as the Program Manager of Naval Air Traffic Management Systems Program (PMA-213) during a change of command ceremony Aug. 9 at NAS Patuxent River.

Rear Admiral Joseph Hornbuckle, Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers, who served as the event guest speaker, lauded Watkins for his leadership that drove outcomes for the fleet.

The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the final Joint Precision Approach and Landing Systems (JPALS) unit March 16 marking another on-time or ahead of schedule delivery for increased capability at sea.

JPALS is a ship-relative GPS-based system that provides aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships with precision approach and landing capability, surveillance, and over-the-air inertial alignment in all weather and mission environments.

The U.S. Navy, in partnership with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) representatives, awarded an $8.6 million foreign military sale in December 2022 to Raytheon Intelligence & Space for the procurement and delivery of a Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) unit.

The Naval Air Traffic Management Systems Program Office (PMA-213) worked closely with the vendor and the international customer to leverage existing contract options to bring this cutting-edge technology to the JMSDF. 

The Naval Air Traffic Management Systems Program Office (PMA-213) enhanced Marine Corps aviation functionality and operations by fielding in February the first MRQ-13 communications system onto the AN/TSQ-120D Control Tower at Marine Air Control Squadron 1 Company B at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California.

This rapid acquisition effort is a “quick, impactful win for the USMC,” said Capt. Kevin Watkins, PMA-213 program manager, adding that it “squarely aligns with Commandants Force Design 2030 for a more agile and expeditionary Marine Corps Force posture.”

Teamwork characterized the many accomplishments that earned the Naval Air Traffic Management Systems Program Office (PMA-213) Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) team the top choice for the 2021 NAWCAD Commander’s Award in the Team Category.

Not least among their successes was bringing initial operational capability (IOC) for the new JPALS a year ahead of schedule. IOC certifies the system’s readiness to provide precision approach and landing capabilities to tactical carrier aircraft at sea.

The U.S. Navy declared initial operational capability for the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) on May 4, signaling the system’s ready to provide precision approach and landing capabilities to tactical carrier aircraft at sea in support of naval aviation operations worldwide.

The Naval Air Traffic Management Systems Program Office (PMA-213) completed Precision Approach and Landing System (PALS) certification on the United Kingdom’s newest aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), in March, completing a critical step in readying the ship for its first operational deployment.

The flight deck crew casts no shadows; the low, dark cloud ceiling completely covers the sun. The aircraft marshaller, donned in a yellow life preserver, raises the bright orange collar of his Marina Militare jacket to shield his neck. Rain collects in the pad eyes (padeyes).

Some miles away, above the gray blanket, an F-35 pilot is preparing to recover aboard the currently out-of-sight rectangle of real estate that he is sure is below in the middle of a vast ocean.