The current delays, primarily the over three year delay for the ERAM system, may cause further delays in NextGen's implementation. As an integrated system, many of NextGen's component systems are mutually dependent on one another. For example, ERAM is critical to the delivery of the Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B).These delays have affected the FAA's capital budget planning. "The Administration has proposed reducing the FAA's capital budget by a total of $2.8 billion, or 20 percent, for fiscal years 2012 through 2015," Dillingham said. "Most of this proposed reduction is on NextGen and NextGen-related spending." The NextGen system, when implemented, will feature satellite-based surveillance rather than ground-based radar. It will also use performance-based navigation rather than step-by-step procedures; replace voice communications with data transmissions and organize the disjointed data that pilots, airlines, airports and others rely on to operate the system.
While the budget for 2012 has not yet been drawn up, Dillingham hopes the FAA will keep NextGen on track and that stakeholders will show faith in the new system and adopt it soon after it is finished.
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