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U.S. Department of Transportation and FAA Detail Air Traffic Control System Modernization

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U.S. Air Traffic Control System Undergoes Major Overhaul, Aims for 2028 Completion

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are progressing with a multi-year overhaul of the national air traffic control system. Officials have reported infrastructure upgrades are underway and have requested additional congressional funding for software development and further modernization. The project includes plans to integrate artificial intelligence as a controller-assist tool and aims for completion by the end of 2028.

Project Status and Reported Progress

Officials from the DOT and FAA provided updates on the modernization effort, citing progress made since Congress approved $12.5 billion in funding last year.

According to the agencies, the following upgrades have been implemented or are in progress:

  • Approximately 50% of the system's copper communications wiring has been replaced with fiber optic cable, wireless, and satellite systems.
  • About 270 radio sites have been upgraded.
  • 17 control towers have transitioned to using electronic flight strips, replacing paper versions.
  • New surface awareness systems have been installed at 54 airports to improve ground tracking of aircraft.
  • Over 4,500 FAA sites are scheduled to receive new radars, digital voice switches, and training simulators.

Planned Upgrades and New Contracts

The modernization project focuses on several core infrastructure components. Contractor Peraton is overseeing work to replace copper wiring, upgrade radios and voice switches, and modernize radar systems.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford described the current national airspace system as analog and stated that many existing radar units have exceeded their intended service life, leading to increased maintenance costs and support challenges.

A specific contract was announced for radar replacement. The FAA selected companies RTX and Indra to replace 612 radar systems nationwide, aiming to consolidate 14 distinct existing radar types. These new systems are scheduled for installation by the summer of 2028.

Funding and Timeline

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that while $12.5 billion has been allocated, an additional $7 to $10 billion is needed for software development and integration. In a separate statement, Duffy indicated the total required funding could be up to $20 billion to complete the entire project. The FAA reported it has committed over $6 billion of the initially approved funds.

The DOT aims to complete the system overhaul by the end of 2028.

Integration of Artificial Intelligence

Officials outlined plans to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into the modernized system. Transportation Secretary Duffy stated AI software would be used as a tool to help controllers manage flight schedules to avoid delays, analyzing data up to 45 days in advance to suggest adjustments.

Duffy emphasized that AI tools would not make decisions and would not replace human controllers. "AI is a tool, but we do not replace humans in how we manage the airspace," Duffy said. Three additional vendors are reportedly working with the FAA on AI implementation.

Context and Statements

The modernization initiative follows several incidents involving air traffic control. These include a fatal collision last month at New York's LaGuardia Airport, a collision last year at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and technical failures such as radar outages at Newark Liberty International Airport last spring that led to flight disruptions. The National Transportation Safety Board found in one investigation that controllers had "degraded performance due to the high workload."

FAA Acting Chief Technology Officer Rebecca Guy stated the upgrades "create a safer, faster and reliable network."

National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Nick Daniels said, "Air traffic control is about saving seconds. Every chance I get to save a second, that's another moment I have to ensure the safety of the American public." In a separate comment, Daniels added, "When technology handles more of the routine, controllers get to handle more of the critical."

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, "We are going to need more money for the software side of this build," and that Congress would need "to find a pathway to get us the rest of that money."

A January report from the Government Accountability Office noted that FAA hiring and certification of controllers has not kept pace with air travel growth.