The Federal Aviation Administration has contracted with RTX and Indra to update the country’s antiquated air traffic control system.
The two contractors will replace the national network of radar systems to bring the aircraft-detecting system into the modern era. RTX, based in Arlington, Virginia, and Indra, based in Madrid, have agreed to replace up to 612 radars by June 2028. Most of the current radars date back to the 1980s.
“Our radar network is outdated and long overdue for replacement.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,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in a statement. “We are buying radar systems that will bring production back to the U.S. and provide a vital surveillance backbone to the National Airspace System.”
The FAA and the Department of Transportation said the One Big Beautiful Bill Act provides funding for the new ground-based radars. The text of the law allocates $3 billion for the replacement of U.S. radar systems between fiscal 2025 and October 2029 under the air traffic control improvements section.
“While our air travel system is the safest in the world, most of our radars date back to the 1980s. It’s unacceptable,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. “Thanks to President Trump and the One Big Beautiful Bill, we’ll begin replacing this outdated technology to boost safety and enable the next big wave of innovation in our skies.”
FAA SAYS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL OVERHAUL NEEDS ADDITIONAL $20 BILLION
The outdated U.S. radar systems have been in the spotlight and under scrutiny throughout 2025. From the January midair collision of a passenger plane and a black hawk helicopter over the Potomac River to the renewed attention during the October government shutdown, the industry has called for reforms to the system.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act allocated $12.5 billion to overhaul the entire air traffic control system, but FAA officials are warning that more funds are needed to make substantial changes.
