Preparation for the C-17 GATM/NAV safety functions to meet civil requirements

For the next 10 years new world-wide communication, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) requirements are being incrementally imposed upon commercial aircraft avionics, and upon the Air Traffic Control community, by the Aviation Administrations of most nations, including the FAA and the JAA. These requirements are the result of a decade of study by the United Nations´ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to improve aviation safety and efficiency. In 2001 the USAF mandated compliance to the CNS requirements for its military aircraft, which is called Navigation Safety/Global Air Traffic Management (NS/GATM) by the USAF. By complying with these requirements, the C-17 will maintain its ability to fly internationally without CNS restrictions, such as requiring special handling. The Phase I study, reported here, is the first phase of a three phase study effort that will result in the C-17 achieving NS/GATM compliance for a specific set of NS/CNS requirements. The purpose of the Phase I study is to: (1) determine what gaps exist between these new requirements and the latest C-17 configurations; (2) what changes to the hardware and software design and development processes must be made at Boeing to assure that the new specifications will be met in the future; and (3) recommend a task plan and a cost estimate for Phase II.