Decommissioning of LORAN-C

Conference attendees to discuss LORAN-C's future

The Department of Transportation is undertaking a congressionally mandated review of the decision to decommission the Loran-C navigation system in the year 2000, as called for in the 1996 Federal Radionavigation Plan. To assist them in that effort, the DOT has retained the firm Booz�Allen & Hamilton, Inc., to assess the technical merits of extending Loran beyond the year 2000, and to conduct a cost/benefit analysis of such an action. Early in the review effort, Booz�Allen will host a Users Conference, during which representatives of various users of Loran-C will present information related to the system and its present and future use. That conference has been scheduled for September 8-9, 1997, at Booz�Allen's headquarters in McLean, VA.

It is recognized however, that the conference, because of schedule and location, may not provide every part of the user community with the opportunity to have input. Therefore, the Government is also soliciting written input from individuals and organizations prior to, during and following the conference. These inputs may be mailed to:

DOT Loran-C Study Comments
c/o Joseph R. Davis
Booz�Allen & Hamilton, Inc.
8251 Greensboro Drive
McLean, VA 22102

Telephone comments cannot be accepted. E-mail comments may be directed to a dedicated account called [email protected]. FAX comments may be sent to (703) 917-3023. Both accounts are available 24 hours a day. Comments are being solicited on any technical, operational or economic issue(s) associated with the proposed action. Comments should be factual, and if possible provide verifiable reference to the source of any data cited. All comments should identify the originator and provide some means (mail, telephone or E-mail) to allow return contact with the originator. Commentors should identify the specific Loran-C user community/communities (maritime, aviation, weather, timing and synchronization, etc.) they represent, and the specific use made (type of aircraft, vessel or other platform, where used, what other navigation systems are used, and typical navigation activity). In addition, comments should address reliability and other system performance issues.

Inputs will be accepted until approximately 15 December 1997; however, early submission will ensure time for the contractor and the Government to address key issues in the cost/benefit analysis and other technical reports.