Additional Coverage:
- ‘State of the art’ air traffic control system will be unveiled in the ‘next couple days,’ Duffy says (foxnews.com)
Washington – Get ready for takeoff! The Trump administration is poised to unveil a cutting-edge air traffic control system in the coming days, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed in a recent interview.
President Trump will have an exclusive first look at the system before it’s presented to Congress as part of a funding request. Duffy stressed the urgency of modernizing the current system, which he described as relying on outdated technology like copper wires and even floppy disks. “It’s safe,” Duffy assured, “but we’re seeing the cracks of age.”
The proposed upgrades include replacing copper lines with fiber optics, installing new radar systems and terminals for air traffic controllers, and integrating sensors on runways. This would allow controllers to have a clear digital view of aircraft on the tarmac, eliminating the need for visual checks from the tower.
Duffy highlighted the importance of speed in implementing these changes, emphasizing the need for Congress to provide upfront funding to avoid delays caused by shifting technology, budgets, and administrations. He also mentioned that SpaceX engineers are contributing to the project.
The complete overhaul of the air traffic control system is estimated to take up to four years.