The report describes a cost study performed for the new replacement all weather instrument landing system. Costs are determined for two Scenarios: A - following the National Plan for Microwave Landing Systems, and B - those currently operational systems (GCA - ILS ...) expected to exist in the absence of the national MLS. For civil ground systems, Scenario A (MLS) produces a significant cost saving; resulting principally from the elimination of restrictive site requirements and reduced frequency of flight inspections. Military ground systems also favor MLS due to earlier retirement of GCA systems. Both of these cost savings are offset by the extra cost of airborne MLS, especially to the more than 700,000 general aviation aircraft projected for the year 2000. Over a 30-year period, the total costs to the nation under the MLS plan are not significantly higher than costs of continuing with current systems. The conclusion is that the lack of a cost penalty, combined with the performance, safety, and economic benefits, make a solid case for MLS. (Author).

The integration of the MLS into the avionics subsystems of selected Air Force aircraft was investigated in this study. Antenna configurations and signal processing and interface designs were developed. These designs were the basis for avionics environment, cost, and system effectiveness analysis of the retrofit of MLS into the C-130E, C-5A, FB-111A, and the F-15. The C-130E study was used for the comparative analysis of different approach capabilities and MLS configurations.

Operating and Support (O & S) costs for the Micro Wave Landing System (MLS) and the current Precision Approach Radar/Instrument Landing System (PAR/ILS) (baseline) are shown. These figures are compared to the figures presented to the DSARC at Milestone II. The force O & S costs are based on a three year delivery schedule plus 20 years of full force operation of 150 copies. The cost reduction reflects a drop in the number of support personnel by 3. This cost reduction occurred in spite of the rapid rise in energy costs. The automatic solid state MLS requires only about 66% of the energy of the existing PAR/ILS in spite of an added automatic communications capability.