FAA signed a $9 million agreement with Honeywell and Aviation Communications & Surveillance Systems (ACSS) to accelerate testing and installation of Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) technology. Acting FAA Administrator said the contracts awarded to teams lead by Honeywell and ACSS will help FAA develop technology that will be used on an airport’s airfield to detect and alert pilots of potential safety issues. “Safety in the air starts with safety on the ground,” said Sturgell. “This technology is a real jump for aviation. Getting it into the cockpit as fast as possible is the smart thing to do.” Under the agreement, Honeywell will receive about $3 million from FAA, while ACSS, which will work with US Airways to develop standards, flight demonstrations and prototypes, will receive $6 million. FAA said two Honeywell test planes and pilots from JetBlue Airways and Alaska Airlines will be used to provide operational input from concept development through flight evaluation and demonstration. Honeywell will conduct the work at Seattle Tacoma International and Snohomish County Paine Field airports. For ACSS’s portion, 20 Airbus A330 aircraft will be equipped with cockpit displays, transponders, antennas, wiring kits and Class 2 Electronic Flight Bags. Demonstrations will be conducted at Philadelphia International Airport.