Situational Awareness Mobile Network (SAMN)
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What SAMN is
The Situational Awareness Mobile Network (SAMN) module is a man-portable Air Traffic Control situational awareness system and navigation aid that allows for immediate establishment and control of large volumes of aircraft in austere environments.
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How it works
SAMN leverages next generation sensing technology to provide RADAR style Air Traffic Control and high precision, field expedient, instrument approaches to military and civillian aviation in situations where it would otherwise be impossible.
Doing so with a man-portable system that is more economical to operate, cheaper to build, and modular. Offering differential GPS and anti-spoof jamming capabilites to the operator.
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Why it matters
The current systems providing similar service are the size of several semitrucks, cost tens of millions, and are approaching end of service life. There is no planned replacement. When the legacy systems fail the capability will be lost.
SAMN will prevent that loss.
Why SAMN?
Currently in development with the USAF Project Holodeck. SAMN is designed to fill the gap forming between the demands of large scale operations and the availability of high value low density systems such as AWACS and portable aviation RADARs like the AN/MPN-14K.
In the hands of a skilled operator a SAMN system is a major airport in a backpack.
Combining the ability to control and land several times the number of aircraft of current austere methods with the all-weather capability of instrument approach paths. A team equipped with SAMN can continue to function in conditions that bring operations today to a complete halt.
SAMN represents an evolutionary step forward in asymmetric logistics and expedient Air Traffic Control.