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FAA Seeks Proposals for Next-Gen Air Traffic Automation
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is asking industry to help build a Common Automation Platform to modernize air traffic automation across U.S. skies.
The FAA’s Common Automation Platform (CAP) is intended to replace two legacy systems — ERAM (En Route Automation Modernization) and STARS (Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System) — and bring a single, scalable backbone to both en route and terminal operations. The plan emphasizes real‑time data integration and advanced automation to improve safety and reduce delays.
By unifying disparate systems, the CAP should make air traffic controllers’ tools more consistent across centers and towers, and better handle increasing traffic volumes as demand returns. The agency is soliciting proposals from industry partners capable of delivering a future‑proof platform that supports modern surveillance, flight data sharing, and automated decision aids.
What the Common Automation Platform and air traffic automation will change
Officials say CAP aims to modernize U.S. airspace management by integrating multiple data streams — radar, ADS‑B, flight plans and other sensors — and layering automation to speed routine tasks while keeping controllers in the loop. The system targets both en route centers and terminal approach facilities for a unified operating picture.
- Replace ERAM and STARS with a single CAP system
- Integrate real‑time data feeds and modern surveillance
- Enable next‑gen air traffic automation capabilities for controllers
- Scale to support increasing traffic volumes and future tech
The FAA’s request signals a long‑term investment in air traffic infrastructure; industry bidders will need experience in mission‑critical avionics and ATC (air traffic control) systems. While the agency hasn’t published a timeline in this notice, stakeholders expect the work to proceed through competitive procurement and phased deployments to minimize operational risk.
For airlines, airports and passengers the payoff should be fewer weather‑related cascades, more predictable flows and a platform that can evolve as new tech — from trajectory‑based operations to enhanced automation — becomes operational.
