SNC delivers mobile tower system to U.S. Army

SPARKS, Nev., 24 Nov., 2012. Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC) has provided the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division with a refurbished mobile tower system (MOTS) allowing for the rapid deployment and establishment of air traffic control (ATC) operations for an upcoming overseas deployment. This set of MOTS is pre-production equipment and is engineered and manufactured to support an earlier award from the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command.

The MOTS is a stand alone ATC system with all necessary secure and non-secure communications radios and support equipment. The modular MOTS includes the controllers' shelter, portable 30kW power generator trailer, airfield lighting system, and meteorological sensors. Provisions to remotely command airfield operations, including control of existing airfield lighting systems combine with the MOTS' ease of transport and deployment; from armored vehicles within theater, airlifted by C-17 aircraft or CH-47 helicopter to standard land, sea, and air transportation methods.

The MOTS is designed to support military ATC operations and communicate with other Air Traffic Service (ATS) and Battle Command (BC) systems. The MOTS meets both FAA/ICAO regulations making it ideal for temporary tower operations with a minimal logistics footprint.

The pre-production MOTS was delivered in advance of 10 previously awarded Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) systems. The first LRIP systems will begin delivery in March 2013. Work will be performed at SNC’s Sparks, Nev., manufacturing facility.