Congress has authorized $12.5 billion for modernizing the nation's aging air traffic control network, while additional funding of $19 billion or more is sought to fully implement the improvements.
Recent disruptions in the FAA's telecommunications systems, including significant outages affecting operations around Newark, have highlighted the need for these enhancements.
At a U.S. House aviation subcommittee hearing, Administrator Bedford explained that the modernization timeline for radar and telecommunications has been accelerated to three years from an original span of 15 years. The agency has already converted more than one-third of its copper-based infrastructure to fiber optics.
Last month, the FAA selected Peraton, a company focused on national security solutions and owned by Veritas Capital, to serve as project manager for the comprehensive overhaul.
Bedford noted during the hearing that adjustments were made to the contract value at the direction of President Donald Trump, resulting in Peraton accepting $200 million less than the amount initially proposed. Peraton has not yet provided a response on this matter.
Reports from recent years indicate that many components of the FAA's communications systems have reached the end of their service life, with spare parts no longer available for numerous installations. Of the 138 air traffic control telecommunications systems in operation, 51 have been classified as unsustainable.
Peraton's initial efforts will prioritize establishing a new digital command center and completing the shift from legacy copper lines to contemporary fiber networks.
The broader "Next Gen" initiative, launched over two decades ago with a projected cost of $15 billion, has encountered multiple setbacks, including schedule extensions and budget increases, while its scope has been scaled back from original plans, as detailed in an October report.
These investments address longstanding concerns raised by stakeholders regarding airport capacity constraints, technological reliability issues, and resulting flight disruptions.
By concentrating resources on critical upgrades, the FAA aims to enhance system resilience and operational efficiency across the national airspace.
The transition to modern infrastructure supports improved data transmission and surveillance capabilities essential for managing increasing air traffic volumes.
Collaboration with experienced contractors like Peraton facilitates structured progress on complex integration tasks.
Overall, the accelerated program reflects a commitment to resolving infrastructure challenges that impact the safety and punctuality of air travel throughout the United States.
