Stratolifter (C-135 / 717)
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Confusion
ATC Issue All Types
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings
This is a 2-part report; the first pertains to STARS (FUSED mode) and the second to the aircraft listed: First; ZAB had pre-coordinated a KC-135 returning to PHX with no transponder. When the KC-135 was 60 NM or so from PHX; I observed the Data Block and it was flashing 'NATS'; no primary or altitude. This condition was expected. However; when I switched modes between the Phoenix LRR and the other ASR RADAR; there was no primary target depicted except on the PHX LRR (and the primary was extremely small). We (the FLM and other CPC working next to me) discussed what we recalled from the FUSION Computer Based Instruction (CBI) and concluded we would see a diamond shaped position symbol; but weren't sure if we were supposed to see the blue 'FUSED' target. The ARTCC called with the manual hand off and said they would call again as the aircraft approached HOMRR (and would be level at 12;000). I tried to 'hand off ok' the Data Block and it went to my coast list. I was able to start the track manually; at which time we noticed the blue FUSED target was displayed. I put the reported Mode C into the Data Block. The Data Block also displayed 'ISR' intermittently; not sure if that was supposed to. Secondly; it took a longer than anticipated amount of time to get the Data Block squared away. While I was accomplishing this; the Navajo Sector had a PC12 VFR climbing across the path of the KC-135. He asked what the KC-135's altitude was and I responded 12;000 (while updating the Data Block with the non Mode C entry). I turned the KC135 away from the PC12; maintaining target resolution and Navajo Sector stopped the PC12 below. I went back to review the FUSION CBI. I could only find one slide that referenced a non-Mode C target. Recommend a refresher briefing that includes not only what to expect from FUSION re: primary only targets; but also STARS entries for 'reported altitude'.
P50 Controller described a confused FUSED RADAR event when the functionality of the FUSED program/equipment was less than clear.