Air Traffic Control
Improving Air Transportation Safety
Since 1971, we have been supporting the Federal Aviation Administration in the development of new technology for air traffic control. We develop systems for aircraft surveillance, weather sensing, collision avoidance, decision support, and air traffic management automation. Learn more in our R&D brochure and our 50 Years of Research and Innovation booklet.
Air Traffic Control Groups
The safe and efficient flow of aircraft in today's skies depends on a suite of weather sensing and traffic management technologies. Our group aims to improve air transportation by developing sensors, weather tracking and forecasting systems, and decision support automation that assists pilots and air traffic controllers in routing aircraft out of harm's way and maintaining smooth traffic patterns.
Latest News
50 Years of Research and Innovation
Lincoln Laboratory’s air traffic control program reached its 50th anniversary in 2021. To commemorate this milestone, the “Celebrating 50 Years of Research and Innovation: MIT Lincoln Laboratory Air Traffic Control” booklet was created to highlight key air traffic control technologies developed by the Laboratory since 1971 and the significant impact they have had on national security and air transportation safety.
Featured Projects
air traffic control
Ground-Based Sense-And-Avoid System
A radar and guidance system enables uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) to avoid collisions with other aircraft, allowing the Department of Defense to operate UAS in the National Airspace System.
aviation weather
Global Synthetic Weather Radar
By compiling lightning data, satellite imagery, and numerical weather models, the GSWR provides radar-like analyses and forecasts over regions not observed by actual weather radars.
Adaptation
Intelligent Tornado Prediction Engine
We are developing deep learning models to analyze tornadic precursors in order to enhance real-time tornado prediction.
artificial intelligence
Aerial Refueling Optimization Engine
Our model optimizes the scheduling of aerial refueling missions, saving fuel and costs for the Department of Defense.
Laboratory Stories
I'm transitioning research tasks into operational algorithms that help the Federal Aviation Administration improve safety and efficiency.
James Kurdzo
Radar Meteorologist
Air Traffic Control
Air Traffic Control Systems
Advancing Our Research
Events
Our Staff
View the biographies of members of the Air Traffic Control research area.
Featured Publications
Science applications of phased array radars
Oct 1
Bull. Amer. Meteorological Soc. (BAMS), Vol. 103, No. 10, 2022, pp. E2370-E2390.
Multimodal physiological monitoring during virtual reality piloting tasks
Aug 25
Multimodal Physiological Monitoring During Virtual Reality Piloting Tasks (version 1.0.0). PhysioNet. https://doi.org/10.13026/azwa-ge48.
Fun as a strategic advantage: applying lessons in engagement from commercial games to military logistics training
Jul 1
Train., Educ., Learn. Sci., Vol. 59, 2022, p. 180-7.
Available Datasets
Helicopter Air Ambulance (HAA) Trajectories, Version 1.
collision avoidance
Unmanned Aircraft Terminal Area Encounters
collision avoidance
Career Opportunities
Discover the exciting and challenging opportunities in Air Traffic Control.