Recommendation on Transition from Primary/Secondary Radar to Secondary- Only Radar Capability

This recommendation has been prepared to support the FAA decision to deactivate primary Long-range radars and presents transition strategy and implementation plan for the transformation of the existing primarysecondary en route radar system to a beacon-only system by the year 2002. The estimated cost associated with this transition is 2.1 billion, but the cost directly related to the decision is approximately 138.6 million. Thus, the potential saving of approximately 1.4 billion associated with LRR replacement results in a benefit- to-cost ratio greater that 10. It is therefore recommended that the decision to deactivate the LRR be implemented as rapidly as possible in order to minimize costs necessary to sustain and maintain the existing system that an orderly transition be accomplished and that the transition to the beacon-only capability be adopted on a center-by center basis. It is also recommended that the goal of an en route beacon system, comprising stand-alone beacon radars and backed up with an automatic dependent surveillance ADS system be established, but achievement of this goal should not delay implementation of the deactivation decision.