NCAM Objectives

The objectives of the SATS Program are to develop and demonstrate key airborne technologies within an Integrated National Airspace System (NAS) operational environment.

These technologies are targeted for small aircraft used for personal and business transportation within the national small airport infrastructure. These operating capabilities include:

• Separation and sequencing of multiple aircraft operating at airports without traditional ground-based terminal radar and communication systems.
• Safer aircraft takeoff and landing operations in poor weather at minimally equipped airport (without Control towers or Groundbased Navigation and Lighting Systems), while minimizing land-use impacts.
• Improved single-pilot performance for safety, accuracy, and ease-of-use.
• Integration of larger numbers of small aircraft into the National Airspace System.

The SATS Program serves as a “downpayment” on the SATS long-term vision. The long-term vision is to enable a safe travel alternative that will free people and products from the constraints of today’s ground and air transportation systems. The SATS concept enables equitable, on-demand, widely distributed access to more communities in less time.