Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Human-Machine Interface
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Human Factors; Procedure
Eagle (F-15) had exited Warning Area 105 on IFR flight plan. Aircraft was not able to be handed off to us due to automation issue. We attempted numerous times to get control of aircraft data block; but the computer was not letting us take control of the information. Eagle (F-15) was pointed out to Sector 47 descending to 110 direct BAF airport. Approximately 5 minutes after we started working on getting control of the data block for automation purposes; the RADAR Controller was able to drop the data block track on Eagle (F-15). When he dropped the data block from our scope; it automatically removed the data block from Sector 47. The RADAR Controller immediately started another track and was in the process of making a manual hand off to BDL Approach Control when Sector 47 put traffic on his scope; G150. Aircraft were approximately 12 to 15 miles apart on converging courses. Sector 47 had already sent G150 over to BDL Approach Control; so we had no way of turning the aircraft away from Eagle (F-15). BDL Approach Control called us and issued descent clearance to Eagle (F-15) to 8;000 feet. Closest proximity with both aircraft at 110 is approximately 9 miles. The automation issue of not being able to get control of the data block to ensure proper automated hand off is the bigger issue between the two aircraft. If we did not have to make all of the attempts at getting control of the data block; when the original data block finally did get removed; it would not have dropped off Sector 47 radar display. The data block dropping off Sector 47 scope makes the issue worse; and then ultimately the Radar Controller at sector 47 forgetting about the Eagle (F-15) flight at 110 did not help. Ultimately; in my opinion; all of this would have been avoided with proper automation and hand offs for Eagle (F-15).
ZBW Controller described a probable airspace separation event when the automated hand off efforts failed.