CSC buys maker of ATC simulator software

pascalpinck — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:23:34 +0000

Integration giant Computer Sciences Corp. has acquired Maryland-based Xavius Technology in order to raise its game in the field of air traffic control simulation (press release). Xavius, which released its first simulator in the late nineties as a standalone software product for the PC market, has since expanded into radar training, tower simulators, and ATM software. The move is notable given that CSC is at the forefront of NextGen traffic management initiatives — for instance, their TMA system is a key component of next month’s FAA demo at the Florida testbed facility.

One step at a time: Phase 2 of TFMS upgrade completed

pascalpinck — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:16:53 +0000

It’s a baby step, but a step nonetheless. In this press release from Computer Sciences Corp., the tech giant reports it has completed an upgrade of the FAA’s Traffic Flow Management System. CSC says the system “integrates real-time weather and flight data from multiple sources, provides centralized communications, enhanced security, initial relational database constructs and centralized system management.” We’d be interested to know just how advanced these “initial” constructs are.

So what is TFMS? In a nutshell, the system allows controllers to quickly initiate “reroute scenarios” based on weather and other disruptions to normal traffic flow, and then communicate key instructions to airlines.

Some background: The contract included three base years and four two-year options with an estimated total value of $589 million. CSC is among the top 10 tech contractors serving the U.S. government; its total revenue for the 12 months ending July 2008 was $17 billion.

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CSC buys maker of ATC simulator software

One step at a time: Phase 2 of TFMS upgrade completed