At a Glance
- RTX and Indra will replace 612 aging radar systems nationwide by summer 2028
- The $12.5 billion overhaul aims to replace equipment dating back to the 1980s
- Congress has already approved $6 billion, but an additional $20 billion is needed
- Why it matters: Outdated radar tech has caused thousands of flight delays and cancellations at major hubs like Newark
America’s air-traffic-control radar network-some of it still relying on floppy disks-will get a complete tech transplant under a newly awarded federal contract.
The Replacement Plan
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the FAA said Monday that RTX and Spanish firm Indra have been selected to install modern radar systems across the country. Work must finish by summer 2028, just before the end of President Donald Trump’s current term.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford explained the urgency:
> “Our radar network is outdated and long overdue for replacement. Many of the units have exceeded their intended service life, making them increasingly expensive to maintain and difficult to support.”
Aging Infrastructure
The FAA’s $3 billion annual equipment budget has been consumed mostly by patching up brittle legacy hardware. Spare parts for some components are no longer manufactured, forcing agency staff to hunt on eBay.
Recent breakdowns highlight the risk:
- Newark Liberty International Airport: radar failures twice in two weeks last spring
- Resulted in thousands of cancellations and delays
- Philadelphia facility also lost both primary and backup systems, affecting Newark traffic
Funding and Timeline
Congress approved $12.5 billion for the overall overhaul, and the FAA has already committed more than $6 billion of that total. Duffy says an extra $20 billion will be required to finish the job.
| Milestone | Status |
|---|---|
| Replace copper wiring | >⅓ complete, switched to fiber optics |
| Radar installation | Begins soon, completion by 2028 |
| Program oversight | Awarded to national-security contractor Peraton |
Key Takeaways
- 612 radar systems from the 1980s will be replaced by 2028
- 14 different radar models now in use will be consolidated, simplifying maintenance
- The project is part of a broader push to modernize U.S. air-traffic technology and reduce flight disruptions
With new systems on the horizon, travelers can expect fewer tech-induced delays at major airports nationwide.
