Air Force Microwave Landing System

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Air Force Microwave Landing System

T. F. Gimble / R. M. Murrell / R. M. Nelson / N. C. Cipolla / C. Y. Nethkin

In the approach and landing phase of aircraft flights, precision approach landing systems are the primary means of navigation during inclement weather or other adverse conditions that limit visibility. During the early 1980's, the Federal Aviation Administration demonstrated that the Microwave Landing System (Microwave System) could replace the Instrument Landing System. Based on congressional direction, the Federal Aviation Administration stated in a biennial Federal Radionavigation Plan that the Microwave System would be the standard precision landing aid for civilian and military aviation. In January 1983, the Air Force was designated the lead Military Department for Microwave System activities and was tasked to submit a plan, in coordination with the other Military Departments to the Office of the Secretary of Defense. On June 2, 1994, the Federal Aviation Administration decided to halt further development of the Microwave System for categories 2 and 3 precision approach landings and canceled two contracts for that development. Category 2 and 3 precision landing systems can guide an aircraft to a 100 foot and 50 foot or under decision point, respectively. The Federal Aviation Administration indicated that the Global Positioning System can already handle nonprecision approach landings and that the Global Positioning System bas great potential to provide precision approach landings. The Air Force Microwave System program is valued at about $224.5 million. The audit objective was to assess the DoD evaluation of current technologies to satisfy precision landing requirements.