> At a Glance
> – RTX and Indra will replace 612 aging radar systems nationwide by summer 2028
> – The $12.5 billion project aims to retire 1980s-era tech, some still using floppy disks
> – $6 billion already committed; $20 billion more needed to finish the upgrade
> – Why it matters: Outages have already grounded flights at Newark and other hubs, and the new network promises fewer delays and safer skies
The Federal Aviation Administration is racing to retire radar units that predate the internet era. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the goal is to finish before the end of President Donald Trump’s current term.
The Aging Network
Many of the 612 systems have outlived their design life, driving up repair bills. The FAA now spends most of its $3 billion annual equipment budget just to keep the network limping along.
Spare parts are so scarce that technicians scour eBay for components no longer manufactured.
Recent failures show the stakes:
- Newark Liberty controllers lost radar twice in two weeks last spring
- Thousands of cancellations and delays rippled across the Northeast
- Both primary and backup systems have collapsed at Philadelphia’s traffic-control facility
The Replacement Plan
Timeline & Contractors
- RTX and Spanish firm Indra won the contracts
- Work runs through summer 2028
- 14 legacy radar models will be swapped for a single standardized system
Funding Status
| Commitment | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Congress approved | $12.5 billion | Available |
| FAA already spent | $6 billion | In use |
| Additional need | $20 billion | Requested |
Infrastructure Upgrades
More than one-third of copper cables have already been replaced with fiber optics. National-security contractor Peraton oversees integration.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford warned:
> “Our radar network is outdated and long overdue for replacement. Many units have exceeded their intended service life, making them increasingly expensive to maintain and difficult to support.”
Key Takeaways
- 612 radar systems dating to the 1980s will be replaced by 2028
- RTX and Indra share the modernization work
- The overhaul could cost up to $32.5 billion when complete
- Standardized gear should cut future outages and repair times
Completion would end the era of floppy-disk air-traffic control and give travelers fewer weather and tech-related delays.
