On Thursday, the United States government unveiled a sweeping three-year initiative aimed at overhauling the nation’s outdated air traffic control infrastructure. Though exact costs remain unspecified, officials indicated that the upgrade would require billions of dollars. A sizeable portion of the funding is anticipated to be sourced from a $12.5 billion budget proposal, which a House committee crafted last week. This proposal is considered a substantial “down payment” on the ambitious plan, which was spurred by a tragic midair collision occurring over Washington, D.C., earlier this year.
The initiative includes several key improvements: notably, the installation of 4,600 high-speed internet connections for data and communications within the air traffic control systems situated in various airports, radar control centers, and facilities nationwide. Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, highlighted the necessity for modernizing the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) communication network, which presently depends in part on antiquated copper wires.
The current system’s deficiencies were notably evident in recent weeks at Newark, New Jersey’s airport. There, a radar signal failure at the Philadelphia air traffic control center, affecting aircraft in and out of Newark, resulted in temporary lapses of 30 to 90 seconds in radar detection on April 28. This led the FAA to reduce air traffic rates at Newark, causing airlines to cancel or delay numerous flights and leaving passengers stranded. Investigations suggest the issue stemmed from a fault in the radar data lines running from a New York facility to the Philadelphia air traffic controllers.
To rectify these issues, the FAA has begun replacing these lines with fiber optics, and is training additional controllers to improve operations in Newark. Sean Duffy stated that while fiber optic technology will be prioritized in these upgrades, the government may consider satellite or cellular technologies where applicable. Duffy maintains neutrality on whether Elon Musk’s Starlink or other companies should secure contracts, preferring to let the procurement process take its course.
Moreover, the plan outlines the replacement of 618 radar systems across the country. Many of these radars date to the 1970s or 1980s, necessitating replacement due to parts scarcity and antiquation. Duffy remarked on the difficulties in obtaining replacement parts, at times even resorting to purchasing from eBay.
Further included in the plan is the construction of six new air traffic control centers, a notable undertaking as no new centers have been built since the 1960s. These would consolidate sites that are experiencing staffing challenges. In addition, the FAA aims to construct 15 new control towers paired with Terminal Radar Approach Control facilities nationwide.
To enhance communication, the FAA will introduce 25,000 new radios, superseding the current units, some of which are over three decades old. These new radios are expected to offer improved reliability, clarity, and security. The modernization blueprint has garnered support from 55 industry groups, collectively forming the new Modern Skies Coalition. This coalition includes prominent unions, trade groups, airplane manufacturers, and related associations, many of whose representatives attended the announcement.
Lastly, the plan proposes the installation of 200 new ground location systems at airports, supplementing the current 44 high-tech systems present at busy airports. These systems significantly assist controllers in tracking plane locations on the ground, reducing reliance on visual searches through binoculars. After these upgrades, however, more than 200 airports will still lack such advanced systems, posing a continued risk of ground collisions among taxiing aircraft.