Contents

What is FalconView?

FalconView® is a Windows-based mapping system developed by the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) for the Department of Defense. Initially released for the U.S. Air National Guard (ANG) in 1994, FalconView’s sponsor and user base quickly expanded to include all branches of the U.S. military. Today, it’s used by the military, various federal agencies and allied countries for a variety of mission planning, intelligence, and operational tasks. It serves as the mapping interface for various mission planning software suites including the Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS), Portable Flight Planning Software (PFPS), and XPlan. Among users the graphical view of these tools is commonly known as FalconView.

Who uses FalconView?

The initial version was released in 1994 and used almost exclusively by U.S. Air Force F-16 pilots. The user base quickly expanded to include a large portion of the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Special Operations Force, Air National Guard, and U.S Navy mission planning community. FalconView is used as part of PFPS, JMPS and XPlan by their associated airlift, bomber, and tanker communities on a multitude of rotary and fixed wing aircraft. FalconView is also used internationally in special versions approved for export.

Other non-DoD agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Customs Service are conducting tests to determine FalconView’s applicability to their missions.

How much does FalconView cost?

FalconView is available at no cost to U.S. DoD entities and U.S. Government Agencies. Contact your local software support command or DoD sponsor.

For non-DoD or commercial use, including Foreign Military Sales (FMS), see “FalconView Licensing Information”.

Who developed FalconView?

FalconView was developed by researchers at the Georgia Tech Research Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. Additional information can be obtained by sending e-mail to FalconView@gtri.gatech.edu.

External Links

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Where can I obtain the latest version of this FAQ?

The most up-to-date version of this FAQ can be obtained on the FalconView website.

What is FalconView?

FalconView® is a multi-platform mapping and mission planning application developed by the Georgia Tech Research Institute for the United States Department of Defense. With a 30-year history of active development, the software has become a de facto standard within the U.S. DoD as well as various Federal Agencies and Allied Nations.

FalconView® displays a wide variety of maps and geographically referenced overlays. The primary map types that FalconView supports include aeronautical charts, satellite imagery, and elevation maps. FalconView also supports a large number of overlay types that can be displayed and printed over any map background. The current overlay set is oriented toward mission planning and is primarily used by aviators and aviation support personnel. Most of the source data for maps and overlays displayed by FalconView is provided by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). These include CADRG, ECRG, CIB, DTED, DAFIF and TFADS-O.

FalconView® also serves as the moving-map display on several airborne/land/sea platforms. Service-specific versions of FalconView form the mapping foundation for the Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS), Aviation Mission Planning System (AMPS), as well as the legacy DoD Portable Flight Planning Software (PFPS).

What is JMPS?

The Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) Windows-based (32 and 64 bit) multi-tiered mission planning architecture comprises the JMPS Framework (FW) capabilities and the Mission Planning Data Service Layer (MPDSL) services. The JMPS FW provides the underlying support and services that are common to all Mission Planning scenarios (e.g., event handling, printing, data access, error handling, session management, preferences, general math, geometric calculations, conversions and mapping services) as well as most basic mission data display and processing capabilities integrated with the latest FalconView Map plugins. The MPDSL is an extensible mission planning service capability that includes mission planning services and administration capabilities for the purpose of supporting Air Force and Navy platforms. The MPDSL includes an infrastructure for services and service development. JMPS is acquired by the Airspace Mission Planning Division (AFLCMC/HBM), at Hanscom AFB. Air Combat Command (ACC) and Air Mobility Command (AMC) are the primary MAJCOM sponsors. Users are Combat Air Force (CAF) and Mobility Air Force (MAF) platforms with Foreign Military Sales (FMS) partners as well as Navy Unit Level mission planners using legacy FW 1.5.

What is PFPS?

The Portable Flight Planning Software (PFPS) is an integrated suite of Windows mission planning applications using a common graphical user interface. It displays standard digital maps and produces user-customizable kneeboard cards, combat mission folders, and data transfers to compatible digital transfer devices. The PFPS software uses an implementation of the client-server data model to provide a shared view of the mission route to software components. The PFPS Route Server synchronizes the different PFPS components so that changes made to the route by one PFPS application are passed to all other components. This allows the operator to perform multiple operations on the same routes without reentering data.

The PFPS software suite includes FalconView, Combat Flight Planning Software (CFPS), Combat Weapon Delivery Software (CWDS), Combat Air Drop Planning Software (CAPS), and several other software packages built by different software contractors.

AFLCMC/HBM PFPS Mission Planning Environment (MPE) maintenance support ended in May 2021. PFPS 4.2.2 SP2 was the last release for the U.S. PFPS 4.2.2 was the last release made available for Foreign Military Sales (FMS). PFPS 4.2.2 SP2 supports Windows 10. PFPS 4.2.2 and PFPS 4.2.2 SP1 only support Windows 7. For more information on the Portable Flight Planning Software (PFPS) End of Life, send requests to AFLCMC/HBM, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731.

What is XPlan?

Execution Planning Software (XPlan) is a significantly upgraded version of PFPS for Army Aviation. GTRI support for XPlan ended in June 2016 with FalconView version 5.2.1. Current XPlan development is being managed through the program office in Huntsville, AL.

What is AFMSS?

The Air Force Mission Support System (AFMSS) is a family of hardware and software products for automated mission-planning originally released in the 1990’s. The main products comprising AFMSS were the Mission Planning System (MPS) and the Portable Flight Planning Software (PFPS). The MPS is a UNIX-based system of hardware and software while PFPS is Windows-based software for standard PCs. These products encompass incremental software and hardware development in an open-system architecture with planned periodic software releases that continued well into the 2000’s. The Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) was the planned replacement for all AFMSS users and Navy planner uses legacy mission planning systems.

Who uses FalconView?

FalconView is primarily used by a large portion of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) aviation community as well as other federal agencies such as the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, the U.S. Customs Service, and the Federal Aviation Administration. Several European nations are also using a special version of FalconView that has been approved for export. FalconView has more than 80,000 users worldwide.

Who developed FalconView?

FalconView was developed by researchers at the Georgia Tech Research Institute located on the Georgia Tech campus in Atlanta, Georgia. The majority of FalconView development was accomplished under multiple contracts with various DoD agencies. You can contact the FalconView development team directly by sending e-mail to FalconView@gtri.gatech.edu.

What versions of FalconView are available?

The latest version officially certified and fielded for mission planning use is 64-bit FalconView version 5.4.1.0147 as of October 2022.

The Georgia Tech development team is currently working on 64-bit FalconView version 5.4.3 for the JMPS program.

FalconView 5.3.2.0185 is the latest 32-bit version of FalconView as of August 2021.

How do I obtain a release copy of FalconView and other related software?

FalconView has a unique distribution mechanism for each category of user that spans multiple MAJCOMs and other government agencies. FalconView is available for license for commercial use. In order to obtain a copy of FalconView, you need to know which category qualifies you. Refer to the sections on U.S. Government Availability and FalconView Licensing Information.

How much does FalconView cost?

FalconView is available at no cost to U.S. DoD entities and U.S. Government Agencies. Contact your local software support command or DoD sponsor.

For non-DoD or commercial use, including Foreign Military Sales (FMS), see FalconView Licensing Information.

How do I get FalconView Open Source?

FalconView Open Source is no longer supported.

Software Features

How do I get a new feature incorporated into FalconView?

The primary source of tasking for the FalconView development team is a combined, prioritized, requirements list developed by the JMPS program. JMPS users may direct change requests to the appropriate JMPS Support contact.

New feature development, enhancements, or other customizations may be funded by contracting directly with GTRI. Please send any questions regarding contracting opportunities to FalconView@gtri.gatech.edu.

How do I contact JMPS Support: Air Force?

JMPS Support: Air Force
Mission Planning System Support Facility
AFLCMC/HBZBC
Hill AFB, UT 84056
DSN: 777-6538
COMM: 1-800-SSF-SSFX (800-773-7739)
E-mail: hill.mpssfa@us.af.mil
Web: https://mpc4.mission-planning.org

How do I contact JMPS Support: Navy?

JMPS Support: Navy
24/7 Technical Support
NAVAIRSYSCOM (PMA-281)
3000 East Lincoln Drive, Suite G
Marlton, NJ 08053-1500
COMM: 1-888-826-7748
NIPR E-mail: PMA281helpdesk@navy.mil

What new features are included in the releases?

A high level summary of major features by version is listed here.

The FalconView Software Development Kit

As a developer, how do I integrate FalconView with my own software?

The FalconView Software Development Kit (SDK) provides developers with important information about the interface to key functional aspects of FalconView. The information takes the form of interface control documents (ICDs) for the following areas:

- - Digital Aeronautical Flight Information File (DAFIF)
  - Drawing File Format
  - Electronic Chart Update Manual (ECHUM) Files
  - FalconView Automation
  - FalconView Preferences
  - Help Builder
  - Custom Icon Additions
  - Local Points
  - Manual Chart Update Manual (CHUM)
  - Point Export
  - Security Label Manager
  - Third Party Plugin Development
  - Threat File Format and Parametrics
  - Threat Information File
  - Topmost Overlay
  - Warfighting Symbology (MIL-STD-2525B) Customization

The complete SDK includes sample code and additional documentation. ZIP files containing the Compiled HTML Help file versions of the ICDs for select versions of the FalconView SDK are available for download here.

Installers for the complete SDK are less than 10 MB and can be sent through e-mail or DoD SAFE. Each SDK requires the installation of the corresponding version of FalconView. To obtain an SDK for a given release of the software use the same distribution mechanism used to obtain the software.

Obtaining FalconView Software

U.S. Government Availability

FalconView is freely distributed to all components of the U.S. Department of Defense and other U.S. Government Agencies. To obtain a free copy of FalconView, you must follow the MAJCOM-specific procedure. Contact your Technical Order Distribution Office (TODO) to order FalconView through the MPSSF at Hill AFB.

If you are working on a government contract and need FalconView to accomplish the requirements, have your U.S. Government POC go through their TODO to order FalconView through the MPSSF at Hill AFB.

Catheryn “Beth” Adams-Brooking, GS-13, DAFC
Program Manager, JMPS Baseline
AFLCMC/HBM OL-1, Eglin AFB, FL
Comm: 850-883-5865 // DSN: 875-5865
Cell: 850-621-7711
Email: catheryn.adams-brooking.4@us.af.mil

If you are not a qualified U.S. Government person or contractor, contact the FalconView development team directly by e-mail to FalconView@gtri.gatech.edu.

Note: If your interest includes flight planning or route editing, you will need a full JMPS install. FalconView is part of JMPS; however, the route editing or flight planning portions of JMPS are provided by components outside of FalconView. If your use case is aviation or route centric, request JMPS through the MPSSF at Hill AFB.

FalconView Licensing Information

FalconView is available for licensing both domestically and for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) through the Georgia Tech Research Corporation (GTRC) . For more information on prices and availability contact Mary Albertson, Director of the Office of Technology Licensing, or email techlicensing@gtrc.gatech.edu.

Mary Albertson
Georgia Institute of Technology
Director of the Office of Technology Licensing
Office of Technology Licensing
926 Dalney Street, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30318

Phone: 404.385.8066
Email: mary.albertson@gatech.edu
Website: https://licensing.research.gatech.edu/

INTERNATIONAL JMPS (IJMPS) LICENSING

IJMPS is a variant of JMPS created to be licensed internationally. For more information on prices and availability contact Alex Minassi, Program Manager – IJMPS at Northrop Grumman Corporation.

Alex Minassi
Program Manager – IJMPS
Northrop Grumman Defense Systems
Phone: (310) 813-6904
Email: alex.minassi@ngc.com

Note: IJMPS cannot license FalconView. If your interest includes flight planning or route editing, you will need a full IJMPS install, and you should contact Alex Minassi to license IJMPS. If your use case is not aviation or route centric, FalconView standalone may meet your needs. To license FalconView standalone please refer to the above FalconView Licensing Information.

Obtaining Data for FalconView

How do I acquire map, elevation and imagery data for FalconView?

CADRG, CIB, DTED and other products are available via the Defense Logistics Agency.

Defense Logistics Agency
Map distribution and ordering
DLA Aviation Customer Service
COMM: 1-800-826-0342
DLA Mapping Data

Additional data is available at https://aerodata.nga.mil/AeroDownload/, https://aeronautical.nga.mil/ and https://map.nga.mil/?activePlugin=moduleGDP

How do I import DAFIF from the Web?

DAFIF can be downloaded from https://aeronautical.nga.mil/. The Feature Matrix will indicate which DAFIF Edition is supported by various FalconView version. Current JMPS only supports DAFIF Edition 8.1. It is recommended that you use the latest edition supported.

You should find DAFIF8.zip and DAFIF8_1.zip under Aeronautical Downloads > DAFIF for the Current Cycle. Next Cycle data will only be available a few days before rollover. The Feature Matrix will indicate which DAFIF Edition is supported by various FalconView version.

1. Go to https://aeronautical.nga.mil/
2. Click on the DAFIF tile or Products > DAFIF
3. Expand Digital Aeronautical Flight Information File (DAFIF) and download the appropriate DAFIF ZIP file (DAFIF8_1.zip if supported).
4. Extract the contents of the download DAFIF ZIP file.
5. In order to import DAFIF from the extracted contents, you will need to ensure the directory structure matches that of DAFIF CDs.
  1. DAFIF8_1.zip has the required structure; DAFIF8_1\DAFIF8_1 contains:
    - DAFIFT (directory)
    - DOCS (directory)
    - STATS (directory)
    - T_TRANS (directory)
    - ALMANAC.GPS (file)
    - VERSION (file)
    - WMM.dat (file)
  2. DAFIF8.zip has ZIP files within the ZIP file that must be extracted (T_TRANS, STATS and DAFIFT) and the VERSION file must extracted from VERSION.zip and placed at the same level as ALMANAC.GPS. When complete DAFIF8 should contain:
    - DAFIFT (directory)
    - DOCS (directory)
    - STATS (directory)
    - T_TRANS (directory)
    - ALMANAC.GPS (file)
    - VERSION (file)
    - WMM.dat (file)
6. The parent directory of DAFIFT is now a valid path for the DAFIF Importer, e.g., DAFIF8_1\DAFIF8_1 from DAFIF8_1.zip.

How do I acquire vertical obstruction data?

OCF, TFADS-O and VVOD are available for download here.