The STARS system receives and processes target reports, weather, and other non-target messages from both terminal and en route digital sensors.
Additionally, it automatically tracks primary and secondary surveillance targets and provides aircraft position information to the enhanced traffic management system (ETMS).
[1] The system is currently being used at all TRACON sites throughout the US[2] and USAF RAPCON, USN RATCF and USA ARAC terminal facilities.
[3] STARS was installed as part of the FAA's TAMR project to replace the aging/obsolete ARTS hardware and software at TRACONS.
The smaller ARTS IIA sites transitioned to the STARS ELITE (Enhanced Local Integrated Tower Equipment) version of software and hardware, which is similar to TAMR, but with minimum redundancy.