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Wide Area Augmentation System - Program Structure

To develop and field a system as complex as the Wide Area Augmentation System, there are a variety of underlying supporting activities.

The WAAS program consists of several functional areas:

  • WAAS Research and Development - Focuses on ionospheric issues, antenna development to mitigate multi-path, Alaska connectivity, and the support of the WAAS Integrity and Performance Panel (WIPP). The National Satellite Test Bed (NSTB) enables a major part of R&D work.
  • WAAS System Engineering -Provide oversight of the WAAS prime contractor's work to ensure that all aspects of the system engineering discipline are being met.
  • WAAS System Architecture - Review and monitor the overall WAAS concept to ensure that WAAS is being properly implemented.
  • WAAS Software Engineering - Review CDRLs and software-related contract deliverables from the prime contractor (Raytheon) to ensure appropriate S/W development procedures are being followed, including RTCA DO-178B.
  • WAAS WIPP Support - Guide development of S/W integrity monitors for WAAS. Co-chaired by FAA and Stanford University.
  • WAAS Test and Evaluation - Ensure that WAAS testing is adequate and complete.
  • WAAS System Security - Ensure entities without proper authorization cannot utilize or compromise the WAAS.
  • WAAS Transition and Field Support - Ensure all supporting efforts are completed to move WAAS from R&D, through acquisition, and into an operational system.
  • WAAS GEO SAT Acquisition - Ensure the adequate number of geostationary satellites to provide required coverage and availability.
  • WAAS Process Improvement/integrated Capability Maturity Model - enhance processes and continuous improvement of these processes related to the WAAS program.
  • WAAS Risk Management - Identify, analyze categorize, mitigate, and track WAAS-related risks.
  • WAAS Configuration Management - Ensure all WAAS components, both hardware and software, are managed and maintained in an appropriate manner and in accordance to FAA requirements.
  • WAAS Contracts/Finance - Manage the prime contractor's cost, schedule, and performance; and review all deliverables.
  • WAAS Business Management - Support and manage the WAAS budget process.
  • WAAS Planning/Program Documentation - Develop and maintain strategic planning documents and Acquisition Management System (AMS) documents required by the AMS process.

The FAA WAAS Project Team is responsible for the development and acquisition of the WAAS; however, to ensure a smooth and successful transition of the WAAS into the FAA's other lines of business and into the National Airspace System, there are several other FAA organizations involved in the development and acquisition of the WAAS.

These other FAA organizations include:
  • ASU-240 (FAA Quality Assurance Division) - These are FAA personnel located on-site at Raytheon Corporation to ensure that Raytheon's products meets their quality and reliability contractual obligations to the FAA.
  • AOP-1000 (FAA NAS In-Service Management) - These are FAA personnel who support the Deployment Planning Process, Standard Operating Procedures, and WAAS Operations and Maintenance Plan.
  • ASU-200 (FAA Quality Assurance Division) - These are FAA personnel who provide part-time support onsite at Raytheon Corporation to review software development activities.
  • AND-720 (FAA Navigation Systems Implementation) - These are FAA personnel who support fielding activities, such as the commissioning and deployment planning process involved in the Transition and Field Support portion of the WAAS project.
  • AND-702 (FAA Navigation Systems Engineering) - These are the FAA personnel who provide policy oversight on system engineering functions, such as security, configuration management, GPS Modernization, and participation in the Interagency GPS Executive Board (IGEB).
  • AOS-240 (FAA National Airways Systems Engineering Division Operational Support Directorate) - These are the FAA personnel located at the FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and represent the concerns of system maintainers once the system is fielded. Support activities include software support activity, OT&E shakedown, technical instruction books (TIB), ESTS Tools, maintenance technical handbooks, and operational CM, and safety assurance.
  • AIR-130 (FAA Aircraft Certification Service) - These are FAA headquarter personnel who set requirements based on FAA certification criteria to ensure the WAAS is safe to use by aircraft operating in the National Airspace System. Support activities include requirements documentation, safety assurance, and RTCA and GNSSP support.
  • AFS-430 (FAA Flight Technologies Requirements) - This branch represents the pilot/user community.

Updated: 5:58 pm ET June 13, 2007