Overview[]
The Next-Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) is a comprehensive overhaul of U.S. national airspace systems from air traffic control to air traffic management and from ground‐based to satellite‐based capabilities. It is employing continuous roll‐out of improvements and upgrades to make air travel more convenient and dependable, more economical, and more environmentally friendly, while ensuring flights are as safe, secure and hassle‐free as possible.
To meet NextGen's navigation and performance requirements, GPS will be the primary navigation aid for aircraft. According to FAA officials, the legacy navigation systems currently used by aircraft during GPS disruptions are not capable of supporting new NextGen capabilities. As a result, the FAA is conducting feasibility studies and analysis on three potential systems that can be used as a GPS backup for NextGen and, according to FAA officials, expects to make a decision by 2016.
NextGen offers advantages to all stakeholders: consumers, service providers, neighbors (e.g., noise reduction), and the environment.
The NextGen portfolio is organized into seven solution sets, each focusing on a series of related operational changes that together will bring about the mid‐term system.
The NextGen Information Systems Security Architecture addresses how to:
- Keep the Bad Stuff Out (external boundary protection and certified software management)
- Make Sure You Know To Whom You Are Talking (identity and key management)
- If They Get In, Make Sure You Find Them and Deal With the Problem (intrusion detection and response)
- Minimize Damage Once In; Don’t Let it Spread (internal policy enforcement).