When key FAA communications facilities were in the paths of hurricanes Dolly, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike this summer, Harris worked closely with the FAA to deploy and stage mobile satellite communications systems that provided on-demand communications capabilities as a safeguard against damage to the commercial telecommunications infrastructure that air traffic control facilities normally rely upon. A FlyAway satellite system is currently operating on Galveston Island, which was devastated by Hurricane Ike. The system was delivered, set up, and operating within 24 hours of the FAA's request for assistance despite the challenges of gaining access to the island and lack of all essential utility services after the storm. Throughout the hurricane season, other portable systems were staged in Atlanta, Georgia; Pensacola, Florida; Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama; Houston, Texas; and Slidell and Grand Isle, Louisiana. The Harris FTI satellite system on Grand Turk Island, part of the FAA Southern Caribbean Region, continued operating in the face of Ike's 145-mph winds.
Satnews Daily
October 21st, 2008
Harris FlyAway Brings FAA Relief During Recent Hurricane Horrors
Dedicated teams of Harris Corporation employees provided emergency support during the past three months to ensure the integrity of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) telecommunications network in the face of four hurricanes and a severe tropical storm. Harris is the prime contractor and system architect for the FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure (FTI) program, one of the largest government telecommunications initiatives ever undertaken. The network ensures the efficient, secure and reliable transmission of voice, data, radar, weather and other information critical to the operation of the National Airspace System.
When key FAA communications facilities were in the paths of hurricanes Dolly, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike this summer, Harris worked closely with the FAA to deploy and stage mobile satellite communications systems that provided on-demand communications capabilities as a safeguard against damage to the commercial telecommunications infrastructure that air traffic control facilities normally rely upon. A FlyAway satellite system is currently operating on Galveston Island, which was devastated by Hurricane Ike. The system was delivered, set up, and operating within 24 hours of the FAA's request for assistance despite the challenges of gaining access to the island and lack of all essential utility services after the storm. Throughout the hurricane season, other portable systems were staged in Atlanta, Georgia; Pensacola, Florida; Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama; Houston, Texas; and Slidell and Grand Isle, Louisiana. The Harris FTI satellite system on Grand Turk Island, part of the FAA Southern Caribbean Region, continued operating in the face of Ike's 145-mph winds.
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When key FAA communications facilities were in the paths of hurricanes Dolly, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike this summer, Harris worked closely with the FAA to deploy and stage mobile satellite communications systems that provided on-demand communications capabilities as a safeguard against damage to the commercial telecommunications infrastructure that air traffic control facilities normally rely upon. A FlyAway satellite system is currently operating on Galveston Island, which was devastated by Hurricane Ike. The system was delivered, set up, and operating within 24 hours of the FAA's request for assistance despite the challenges of gaining access to the island and lack of all essential utility services after the storm. Throughout the hurricane season, other portable systems were staged in Atlanta, Georgia; Pensacola, Florida; Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama; Houston, Texas; and Slidell and Grand Isle, Louisiana. The Harris FTI satellite system on Grand Turk Island, part of the FAA Southern Caribbean Region, continued operating in the face of Ike's 145-mph winds.