Boeing

Boeing Air Traffic Management announced today that it signed a $750,000 contract with NASA to participate in the agency's Virtual Airspace Modeling and Simulation (VAMS) project.

Work on the VAMS project is expected to lead to the definition and development of system-level (gate-to-gate) concepts that will increase the capacity of the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) and handle growing airspace demand through 2020.

"Our work on developing air system capacity solutions through the VAMS project will help improve the flying experience for air travelers," said John Hayhurst, president of Boeing ATM. "That work will also augment ATM's ongoing efforts to enhance the safety, security, capacity and efficiency of air transportation."

This contract resulted from ATM's response to a Dec. 2001 research announcement by NASA. The award is for work on the first phase of a four-phase project, which will occur over a five-year period, but it does not guarantee participation in future phases of the project.

In performing this contract, ATM will build on its capacity-increasing concepts, which consolidate airspace resources and traffic and flow management functions, increase operational flexibility and reduce excess aircraft separation.