Heliport and MOPTAR Revitalization

The Airports Emerging Technologies R&D Section (E263) engaged in a self-help project involving the revitalization of the Heliport and Multiobject Phase Tracking and Ranging (MOPTAR) areas on the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace’s campus on March 27-31, 2026. The self-help approach enhanced fiscal responsibility by completing the project within the same scope as the original project plan that involved outsourcing the work while saving thousands of dollars. Furthermore, collaboration with the Center Operations Division led to subcontracting some project activities requiring heavy machines, streamlining the work and maximizing employee safety. The revitalized Heliport and MOPTAR areas will provide an optimal environmental context for research and training, exemplifying the Technical Center’s Focus Area of Advancing the Core Work of the Center, as the Section’s research collaborations with Federal Partners, who are focused on detection and mitigation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), are furthered with this remodeled operating area.

William Perkins | william.c.perkins@faa.gov