New tech will enhance air traffic controllers’ ability to track planes and vehicles on the runway to prevent incursions
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the installation of a new Surface Movement Radar (SMR) at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The radar replacement is the latest move by the Trump Administration to modernize America’s air traffic control system. A timeline of improvements to DCA can be found HERE.
DCA is the fifth airport to receive a Surface Movement Radar Model 4 (SMR-4) and follows an installation at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) earlier this week. The new technology will help controllers prevent incursions by allowing them to better track aircraft and vehicles on runways and taxiways in all weather and visibility conditions.
“In just 18 months, we have delivered billions of dollars to air traffic control centers across the country–including $30.5 million right here at Washington Reagan. This new radar is our latest reinforcement tool to equip our controllers as they safeguard our air travel. We’re working at the Speed of Trump to deliver the world-class air traffic control system America deserves,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.
“By enabling them to see aircraft and vehicles on the ground no matter the weather or visibility, this new radar will give controllers at DCA a clearer picture of airport activity. Our priority is keeping travelers safe, and this radar– along with the numerous other upgrades happening at DCA–will help our controllers do just that,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford.
Click HERE to view video footage of the installation
Trump’s Transportation Department will invest $30.5 million into DCA from the Working Families Tax Cuts Act over the next three years to deliver critical safety and modernization upgrades. In addition to the installation of the SMR-4, DCA has already replaced 67% of its copper wiring with high-speed fiber to enhance communication, transitioned from flimsy paper to electronic flight strips, and installed new radios to improve communication between controllers and pilots.
By the end of 2028, DCA will also install:
- New Electronic Information Display Systems to improve situational awareness for controllers.
- New IP voice switches to help controllers communicate with pilots and other air traffic facilities more efficiently.
Additional Information:
Under Secretary Duffy’s leadership, the FAA is moving at the speed of Trump to make upgrades to our air traffic control system nationwide. In just one year we have:
- Replaced 60% of all copper wires
- Converted 363 radio sites nationwide
- Installed 96 new Surface Awareness Initiative systems
- Transitioned 19 towers to electronic flight strips
- Installed 151 IP voice switches at control towers
