FAA Selects RTX, Indra to Replace 612 Aging Radar Systems by 2028

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected two firms. They will replace 612 outdated radar systems across the nation. This is a key part of a multibillion-dollar air traffic control overhaul. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the FAA announced the contract awards. Contractors RTX and Spanish firm Indra won the bids. The administration set an ambitious goal for this project. The radar replacements should be completed by the summer of 2028. The entire overhaul is targeted for completion by the end of 2028.

The Need for Modernization

Many of the current radar units date back to the 1980s. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford noted they are long overdue for replacement. The systems have exceeded their intended service life. This makes them increasingly expensive and difficult to support. The fragile old system still relies on floppy discs in some places. The FAA sometimes searches for spare parts on eBay.

Maintaining the old equipment consumes most of the FAA’s $3 billion equipment budget. Failures in the aging system cause significant travel disruption. Technical failures twice knocked out radar control last spring. This happened for planes around Newark Liberty International Airport. These problems led to thousands of flight cancellations and delays. Failures have occurred when both primary and backup systems failed.

Contract Details and Scope

The contracts with RTX and Indra will replace outdated radar systems. They will deploy modern, commercially available surveillance radars. RTX’s subsidiary, Collins Aerospace, received a $438 million contract. They will deliver next-generation cooperative and non-cooperative radar systems. The new systems will consolidate 14 different existing radar systems. This simplification will greatly improve maintenance and logistics. The effort will prioritize high-traffic areas first.

Broader ATC Overhaul

The radar replacement is a key component of a larger national air traffic control overhaul. Congress initially approved $12.5 billion for the project. The FAA has already committed over $6 billion of that funding. However, Secretary Duffy stated that another $20 billion will be needed. The total cost for the modernize air traffic system is now estimated to exceed $32 billion.

The agency hired national security contractor Peraton to oversee the work. Peraton acts as the Prime Integrator for the new system. The overhaul also includes replacing outdated copper wires. The agency has already transitioned one-third of the copper infrastructure. Modern connections like fiber optic lines are now being used. This massive federal government aviation spending aims to enhance safety and efficiency. The goal is to deliver a state-of-the-art system. For more insights into these developments, visit our commercial aviation news section.