Raytheon Co. has been awarded a seven-month, $2.3 million contract to study the NextGen Integrated Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance (ICNS) architecture and determine the National Airspace System’s needs for 2018 to 2025. The study will analyze ICNS interfaces to operator flight planning systems, aircraft capabilities, avionics functions, and FAA automation systems. The contract was awarded by the NextGen Institute, a venture between the National Center for Advanced Technologies and the FAA. The Joint Planning and Development Office will access the Institute to gain private sector expertise, tools, and facilities for NextGen activities. The Raytheon-led team includes Rockwell Collins, ARINC, Aviation Management Associates, and Thales.