ITT Exelis captures $2.7M FAA NextGen contract

ITT Exelis and its partner GE’s Naverus will help accelerate the development of satellite-based procedures that will allow aircraft to fly more directly to their destinations under a $2.77 million contract from the Federal Aviation Administration, according to a May 14 company announcement.

ITT Exelis, the prime contractor, and Naverus, the sub-contractor, will develop Required Navigation Performance (RNP) approach procedures at five airports: Ted Stevens Anchorage, Alaska, International airport; James M. Cox Dayton, Ohio, International Airport; Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport in Kansas City; General Mitchell International in Milwaukee; and Syracuse’s Hancock International Airport in New York state.

ITT Exelis and Naverus will be responsible for designing, implementing and maintaining a total of 10 procedures – two for each airport.

FAA will closely monitor the work to make sure all safety and environmental steps are conducted properly. This effort will supplement FAA’s work to develop RNP procedures for airports across the country.

So far the air traffic safety agency has developed 305 RNP procedures.

“If you imagine highways in the sky, then these are high-speed off ramps,” said Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta in the announcement. “Aircraft using RNP approaches make a more direct and efficient approach into the airport, also decreasing fuel burn,” he explained.

The FAA awarded the contract to ITT Exelis and Naverus through a competitive process under the System Engineering 2020 contract, a portfolio of work designed to help the agency roll out NextGen.

Fiscal year 2012 appropriations included funding for a contractor to develop and deliver NextGen procedures, and the FAA reauthorization bill called for the agency to demonstrate the ability of a contractor to design, implement and maintain these procedures.

“NextGen will help deliver an environmentally friendly, more efficient traveling experience for the flying public,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in the announcement.