NAWCAD WOLF innovation ensures radar system readiness

Innovation at the Naval Aviation Warfare Center Aircraft Division Webster Outlying Field (NAWCAD WOLF) Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems (ATC&LS) division is saving time and money for the warfighter by providing organic sustainment services for the Navy’s primary Shipboard ATC air surveillance radar system, the AN/SPN-43C, in support of the Naval Air Traffic Management Systems Program Office (PMA-213).

New ATC radar boosts aviator safety

The new AN/FPN-68 Precision Approach Radar at Naval Air Station Patuxent River is providing critical support to pilots and air traffic controllers, bringing reliable technology that delivers accurate data for safe aircraft landings even in adverse weather. 

The AN/FPN-68 was successfully installed and flight-checked last summer on Pax, marking the 23rd installation of this new radar system at various locations.

Navy awards contract for continued AN/UPX-50 redesign

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).

Navy receives final JPALS unit delivery

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.

US Navy partners with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to deliver JPALS equipment

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 and 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. 

Shipboard Landing Systems

Mission/Description:  These systems provide all-weather airborne instrument recovery for Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, including  precision approach and landing capabilities, ship-relative (bearing and range) navigation, and non-precision approach capabilities.

Products (Platforms):

Expeditionary Integrated Product Team saves time, millions with rapid acquisition effort

The Naval Air Traffic Management Systems Program Office (PMA-213) enhanced Marine Corps aviation functionality and operations by fielding the first MRQ-13 communications system onto the AN/TSQ-120D Control Tower in February 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.”

JPALS lands 2021 NAWCAD Team award

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.

Navy declares initial operational capability for Joint Precision Approach and Landing System

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.