U.S. Army receives mobile ATC system

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SPARKS, Nev., March 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has received its first low-rate initial production air traffic control mobile tower system from the Sierra Nevada Corp.

The new, rapidly deployable AN/MSQ-135 MOTS will replace the Army's AN/TSW-7A air traffic control tower.

"This first production delivery from SNC marks a major milestone for the MOTS program," said Col. Jerry Davis, Army project manager, Aviation Systems. "Once fielded, MOTS will enable improved maintainability along with a higher operational readiness for our air traffic controllers supporting aircraft movement at airfields around the world."

The Army contracted for 10 new MOTS in 2012. An early development model deployed with troops to Afghanistan last year.

The first initial low-rate production MOTS was delivered Thursday.

"SNC strives to meet our customers' needs at every level," said Greg Cox, corporate vice president of SNC's Communication, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management business area. "Today's delivery of the first production of the MOTS demonstrates the valued relationship we have with the U.S. Army."

MOTS is a modular air traffic control system with secure and non-secure communications equipment, 18kW power generators, solar-powered airfield lighting system, and meteorological sensors.