Shipboard AATCC Status Display

Overview

Aboard the USS Bataan (LHD-5), the Amphibious Air Traffic Control Center (AATCC) lacked a unified, automated way to display real-time aircraft mission status to all decision-makers simultaneously. Information was often relayed via phone or hand-written boards, leading to delays and situational awareness gaps.

The Solution

I designed and installed a custom schematics-driven automation system that pulled live data and broadcasted it on monitors throughout the AATCC and other shipboard cells.

• Hardware Integration: Designed the circuit schematics and physical wiring installation to interface with existing shipboard video distribution networks.
• Software Automation: Created the logic to automatically update status boards based on real-time inputs, removing the need for manual transcription.
• Scalability: Built the system using modular components to allow for future expansion of additional display nodes.

Impact

This project demonstrated how low-cost, innovative solutions can solve enterprise-scale coordination problems.

• Fleet-Wide Recognition: My configuration was utilized by Type Commander as the primary example for future fleet-wide status display upgrades across all LHD-class ships.
• Operational Readiness: Provided instant, ship-wide visibility of aircraft status, improving the speed and accuracy of aviation mission decisions.
• System Stability: The solution proved robust enough to survive the harsh vibration and electrical environments of an active-duty aircraft carrier.

Outcome

This project solidified my reputation as a technician who could not only maintain existing systems but also innovate new ones. It bridged the gap between traditional Air Traffic Control operations and modern digital information systems.