Parsons Corporation, in partnership with IBM, is being tapped by the government to offer a brand new, state-of-the-art air traffic control system.
This collaboration directly responds to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's call for “world-class innovators to rapidly spearhead the overhaul of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) National Airspace System (NAS),” prioritizing an open vendor agnostic approach that enables the agency to leverage the latest technologies and continuously improve their systems based on real-time feedback and evolving needs.
Parsons will serve as the prime contractor and single point of accountability, providing unified leadership and full program responsibility to ensure mission success.
By combining Parsons’ deep FAA experience, proven large-scale program delivery success, and systems engineering and integration capabilities with IBM’s federal government and cross industry, systems integration experience, the collaboration aims to lay the foundation for a safer, more resilient aviation ecosystem.
“This partnership represents two American industry leaders bringing together a combined nearly 200 years of experience and expertise in complex program management and systems integration to deliver a state-of-the-art air traffic control system for our nation,” said Carey Smith, chair, president, and chief executive officer of Parsons Corporation. “This top priority initiative requires a company that knows the FAA and can hit the ground running to ensure the safety, prosperity and growth of our communities that depend on airspace efficiency. We are excited to collaborate with IBM to ensure that this initiative receives the right expertise to rapidly deliver on the FAA’s critical mission. Together, we bring the agility, commitment, and innovation required to transform America’s airspace and realize the administration’s vision for a safer, stronger, and more efficient air traffic management system.”
Parsons, a leading global infrastructure and solutions delivery partner, has planned, designed, constructed, managed, enhanced, and sustained terminal, landside, and airside infrastructure for over 450 airports in 40 countries.
The company has been the FAA’s infrastructure partner for nearly 50 years under the FAA’s Technical Support Services, leveraging its engineering, infrastructure, and project management expertise to support the FAA capital program goals.
Under the contract, Parsons implements initiatives across the FAA’s Aviation System Capital Improvement Program including project management; infrastructure modernization; systems and equipment installation and testing at more than 600 locations; and health, environmental, engineering, and fire protection services.
“We are proud to bring our expertise and technology to this once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Mohamad Ali, senior vice president at IBM. “In partnership with Parsons, we’re excited to respond to the administration’s call to help modernize the National Airspace System. This is just the beginning, and our shared commitment to an open approach ensures that we can integrate the best available technologies to build a safe, stable and future ready airspace infrastructure that will serve the nation for decades to come."
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