All the equipment for the DAIR system, except
antennas, is installed in remote shelters, vans, control
rooms, and equipment buildings. Depending on the
requirements of the site, a variety of configurations
could be used.
RATCF DAIR (AN/TPX-42A(V)10)
RATCF DAIR is used at major shore installations
to increase the capability of the AN/TPX-42A(V)5
interrogator system. This programmable system retains
all the features of the DAIR system and modifies the
signal-processing chain.
The use of computer-
processed data increases controller efficiency and traffic
handling capability. Some of the RATCF DAIR new
capabilities include:
Automatic tracking of emergency targets
Audible and visual alarm when an aircraft
descends below a preselected minimum altitude
Altitude monitoring with an alarm when targets
stray 300 feet from controller-assigned altitude
Semi-automatic handoff and exchange of flight
data between operators and facilities
RATCF DAIR offers an expanded display and
aircraft tracking capability and impacts other radar
systems in the same way as DAIR The RATCF DAIR
interfaces with FAA enroute centers, ARTS facilities, Air
Force PIDP facilities, and other RATCF DAIR facilities.
CATCC DAIR (AN/TPX-42A(V)8)
The AN/TPX-42A(V)8 is designed for air traffic
control aboard aircraft carriers. Its radius of coverage
can extend to 200 nautical miles, although air traffic
controllers are responsible only out to 50 nautical miles.
Controllers cover their area of responsibility using the
alphanumeric display of flight identity, altitude, and
other pertinent information provided by this system and
superimposed over primary radar video.
The CATCC DAIR system accepts trigger and
azimuth data from several shipboard radars. It also
accepts ship’s data such as speed, heading, position,
clock time, and barometric pressure and displays them
in a tabular list on the controller’s indicator. The system
automatically computes the final bearing and displays it
as a vector on the indicators.
A controller can put flight information into the
system, via a keyboard, up to 24 hours before aircraft
take-off or recovery. The system automatically tracks
aircraft (using beacon response), matching each aircraft
with the proper identification data from the flight data
tabular list. As each aircraft leaves the controller’s area
of responsibility, its track is passed to another CATCC
control position, CIC, or ACLS/PALS as appropriate.
Some of the significant operating capabilities of the
CATCC DAIR system include:
Automatic tracking and alphanumeric identity of
selected aircraft by aircraft side numbers
Independent radar selection by position
The ability to accept NTDS map or to draw anew
or modified map from a keyboard
Independent maintenance modes for displays
with computer-driven maintenance patterns
Built-in Test Equipment (BITE) with computer-
assisted diagnostics
Figure 3-7 shows a typical CATCC DAIR system
interface diagram. CATCC DAIR interfaces with many
systems including:
NTDS
Keyset Central Multiplexer (KCMX)
ACLS/PALS
IFF
RD-379 recorders
Radar switchboards
CATCC DAIR equipment is installed in the
CY-7567 electrical cabinet and the MT-4939 and
MT-4940 electrical equipment racks located in the
auxiliary radar room. The CATCC operations room has
5 indicator-control groups and 5 keyboard controllers,
including the emergency IFF/radar switch.
AATC DAIR (AN/TPX-42A(V)12)
The AATC DAIR system is designed for air traffic
control aboard LHA, LPH, and LHD amphibious ships.
Display capabilities are similar to those of CATCC
DAIR, but new equipment and software programs
provide capabilities needed for amphibious operations.
The controller is provided the identity, altitude, and
status of IFF-equipped aircraft within the amphibious
objective area (AOA). Information such as Air Plan
Lists and ship’s data are also available for display on the
controller’s console. AATC DAIR uses the IFF beacon
as a primary means of target detection and tracking, but
3-8
