NextGen Enabling Capabilities

NextGen Research and Mission Analysis

The advancement of NextGen operational areas is dependent on the ability to support and provide services in multiple NextGen enabling capabilities. The Metron Aviation Team covers these capabilities with unmatched breadth and depth with key industry experts:

Simulation and Operational Demonstrations

Metron Aviation understands that an integral component of NextGen is the exploration, validation and cost/benefit analysis of proposed NextGen capabilities, including the quantification of National Airspace System (NAS) performance with and without advanced capabilities. There is a compelling need to test and evaluate NAS performance in fast-time modeling and simulations, Human-In-The-Loop (HITL) simulations, operational trials and large scale demonstrations to advance near term benefits in NextGen operational areas. Metron Aviation has performed HITL simulations to advance concepts such as Airspace Flow Programs (AFP), System Enhancement for Versatile Negotiation (SEVEN), and Departure Flow Management (DFM). Additionally, we provide fast-time modeling and simulation capabilities for NAS Performance Analysis Capability (NASPAC) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Airspace Concept Evaluation System (ACES).

Airspace Design and Procedures

Metron Aviation has worked in collaboration with the FAA for more than 15 years on a range of environmental modeling, analysis and reporting efforts, all of which are requirements of National Environment Policy Act (NEPA). Metron Aviation has significant experience in the environmental policy requirements and airspace design procedures for integrating new technologies into NextGen. In addition to supporting key airspace redesign and environmental reviews for the NY/NJ/PHL Airspace Redesign, Metron Aviation is assisting the FAA Airspace Management Program in airspace design, procedures and scenario development. Innovative concept development and benefits in the area of airspace design and procedures includes advance research in Dynamic Airspace
Configuration (DAC).

Performance Based Navigation (PBN)

Metron Aviation provides the research and mission analysis necessar y to explore the concepts essential to the advancement of PBN in NextGen Integrated ATM, Metroplex and Cruise operational areas. Focused on expanding PBN use in departures and cruise, Metron Aviation is researching the early integration of PBN and TFM concepts with leading industr y team members. By developing tangible steps toward the initial implementation of delegated separation, Metron Aviation is researching in-trail procedures for oceanic airspace and interval management concepts.

Weather Research and Integration

Metron Aviation has been researching the effects of weather on the NAS through NASA and FAA sponsored projects that have yielded quantifiable benefits to the system. Metron Aviation integrated Weather Impacted Traffic Index (WITI) into TFM research integrating benefits assessments widely used and publicized by the FAA. Additionally, Metron Aviation quantified the benefits of AFPs and integrated WITI metrics into NASA’s Future ATM Concepts Evaluation Tool (FACET). Metron Aviation utilized WITI metrics to demonstrate more than $82 million in savings obtained via AFPs.

Environmental Analysis

As the policies and procedures associated with the new technologies are developed, it is vital to ensure that effective compliance with NEPA requirements be an integral part of the NAS transition plans and eventual evolution to a NextGen operating environment. With unparalleled experience in the environmental policy requirements for integrating new airspace designs and procedures into NextGen, Metron Aviation provides a wide range of environmental services to the aviation industry, with an emphasis on airspace and airport analysis, model development, impact mitigation, environmental analysis for policy development and alternative fuel energy analysis and concept exploration. Metron Aviation possesses a unique and comprehensive understanding of the environmental impact of air transportation and is committed to helping the industry address vital environmental and energy related challenges that will improve the sustainability and harmonization of global aircraft operations.

Policy Analysis

Metron Aviation has assisted the FAA in major airspace redesign and environmental programs. As a pioneer member of CDM, Metron Aviation has fostered data exchange and shared situational awareness and procedures that provide flight operators with tools for securing more flexible airspace. Through this industry collaboration and several years of supporting the Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO), Metron Aviation has assembled a Policy Team comprised of industry policy Subject Matter Experts (SME), who understand NextGen goals to provide support in the identification and definition of policy issues, make recommendations and perform analysis and monitor and follow up on NextGen Policy Issues and Recommended Actions. This supports NextGen decision making and provides recommendations to the JPDO/FAA on issues impacting NextGen implementation.

Global Harmonization

In response to the growing interest to enable global harmonization, Metron Aviation has assembled a team to bring to the FAA a unique Harmonization Center, designed to achieve global interoperability through simulations and testing, resulting in agreement on concepts, standards and procedures. The Metron Aviation team’s Harmonization Center is a state of the art simulation and testing lab, specifically designed to ensure the global interoperability for candidate NextGen and SESAR solutions for the harmonization of equipage and ADS-B standards.