Take3 etc...
Perhaps the entire
process that NATS uses / has used for system specification and purchase is WRONG.
NERC with all it's woes, and the non-replacement of NAS seem to point to something being not right.
Maybe it's time to
simplify the whole process. Now I know that the "can't be done" brigade will be up in arms at any threat to their empires, but take a look at the US. Things get done, largely without too much delay, and with full involvement of NATCA. (Article 48.... I think)
They are actually DOING something about replacing NAS. They are doing it function by function, with no big bang. This lessens the risk. As I understand it we are still "thinking about it". Nothing has actually been done. Perhaps we should be speaking to the FAA, or better still NATCA. RIGHT NOW.
The reason I mention the USA and not Europe so much is because their system is very familiar to UK controllers, right down to DM,
PR, AU etc etc messages... because it has its roots in the good old 9020, as ours does.
Europe also offers some practical "turn key" replacements. Talk to Thomson CSF.
Til the next FLOP / Startover.....
Rgds BEX