Ultra Electronics' Advanced Fusion and Tracking System (AFTS) could serve as a commercial platform for the technology. Many current users of AFTS have an increasing need for managing airspace with a mix of manned and unmanned platforms. Since Numerica already provides the tracking component of AFTS, the proposed technology could provide a significant add-on capability. The Army's Tactical Airspace Integration System (TAIS) already uses AFTS for airspace management. Conflict detection in TAIS is presently handled on a purely manual basis. Numerica's technology would be a plug-in for AFTS which would include both trajectory estimation and prediction modules as described in this proposal, as well as plug-ins for Ultra's TacView user interface that automatically alert operators to potential LOS or other airspace conflicts. Furthermore, the US Navy uses a number of UAV platforms, and has two major programs developing new platforms, both of which could benefit from the proposed technology. As NASA and the FAA continue development of the NextGen Airspace program through 2025, the need to safely integrate UAV's into the NAS will only grow. As such, NASA's Airspace Systems Program will be a key customer of the proposed technology. The technology could provide a prototype system for the Airspace Systems Program which demonstrates both a technical solution, and also the associated policies, procedures, and requirements for UAV's operating in the National Air Space. Additionally, the proposed technology could be integrated into a NASA simulation environment such as the Future ATM Concept Evaluation Tool. Numerica would work closely with NASA program managers in the Airspace Systems Program and elsewhere as appropriate to develop a more complete NASA/FAA transition path for the technology.
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