DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
HEADQUARTERS AIR FORCE LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT CENTER
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE OHIO
BULLETIN
AW
B–325
03NOV2017
United States Air Force (USAF) Airworthiness Bulletin (AWB)-325
Subject: Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM)
Compliance Assessment Process
Attachments: (1) Glossary of References and Supporting Information
(2) Sample Certification Basis (CB) tailoring
1. Purpose: Provide interim instructions for the assessment and approval/certification of
CNS/ATM functionality on USAF air systems. This bulletin will be revised or rescinded upon
publication of an updated Air Force Instruction (AFI) 63-137, Assurance of Communications,
Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM), Navigation Safety, and Next
Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) Performance, which will reflect this
streamlined process as detailed herein. To the extent AFI 63-137 and this bulletin’s directions
are inconsistent, the information herein prevails.
2. Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR): USAF Airworthiness Office, AFLCMC/EZSA
(USAF.Airworthiness.Office@us.af.mil).
3. Applicability: All air systems acquiring, integrating, or modifying CNS/ATM capabilities.
The Program Manager (PM) determines when these processes and procedures apply to
Commercial Derivative Aircraft maintaining FAA type certification.
4. Background:
4.1 USAF CNS/ATM compliance assessment and airworthiness (AW) approval were
previously accomplished as two separate processes. The current AFI 63-137 prescribes a
Performance Assessment and Letter of Compliance (LOC) process to ensure proper air
system CNS/ATM performance for mission execution in civil controlled airspace. Air
Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 62-6, USAF Airworthiness, establishes policy to ensure
USAF air systems safely attain, sustain and complete flight, to include all of the CNS/ATM
functionalities necessary for AW. Both CNS/ATM and AW processes operate in a similar
fashion. Both processes include establishment of a Certification Basis (CB) from
appropriate standards/regulations, verification of requirements in accordance with proven
Systems Engineering procedures, development of required artifacts by air system Program
Offices (POs), analysis of PO artifacts by domain Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and
issuance of appropriate approvals and limitations. Compliance with two similar processes,
one for CNS/ATM and one for AW, creates a duplication of effort and adds cost for POs.
4.2 AFLCMC/EZA and AFLCMC/HBA collaborated to develop a single streamlined process
f
or the assessment of USAF air system CNS/ATM capabilities. The tenets are:
Distribution Statement A – Approved for public release; Case Number: 88ABW‐2017‐3278
USAFCenterofExcellenceforAirworthiness
