System method for Communications Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) development and integration

This paper describes a system development method which identifies the airplane functions which can increase the operational utility and generate enhanced revenue for the airlines. Early and accurate identification of the requirements for new systems or upgrades is key to provide the airlines an additional revenue generation capability. An essential consideration in introducing technology in new systems or upgrades is protecting an airlines' revenue generation capability by controlling technology cost and managing the risk of it's introduction. The proposed system development approach augments the early phases of the traditional system engineering methodology by deriving performance requirements and potential benefits at the mission level. The future Air Navigation System (FANS)-1 upgrade package on the Boeing 747-400 is a good example of how CNS/ATM can provide functions to enhance operation of the airplane, as attested by the industry's acceptance of this product. This paper outlines some of the steps implemented by Boeing to augment the airborne CNS capability on FANS-1 as well as the background, goals and objectives for an improved system method being used in on-going Boeing CNS/AIM programs.