US Air Traffic Control Undergoes Biggest Upgrade Since the Jet Age | Modern Skies Summit

YouTube ^ | 04/28/2026 | The Daily Signal

[SmokingJoe]

The U.S. air traffic control system is getting its largest modernization since the jet age.

The Daily Signal’s Abigail Matsuyoshi reports from the Modern Skies Summit in Washington, D.C., where Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled sweeping upgrades to the Federal Aviation Administration’s aging infrastructure—some of which dates back to the 1960s and 1970s. The project aims to boost safety, reduce outages, and modernize how air traffic controllers manage America’s crowded skies.

Key upgrades include:

✈️ Replacing thousands of miles of outdated copper wiring with high-speed fiber optics ✈️ Modernizing more than 20,000 radio systems used by pilots and controllers ✈️ Replacing 600 aging radar systems nationwide ✈️ Digitizing air traffic control towers that still rely on paper flight strips

FAA leaders also highlighted a renewed push to fix chronic air traffic controller shortages, including a high-profile recruitment effort that drew thousands of applicants in just hours.

This modernization effort could reshape U.S. aviation for decades to come.

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TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: airtrafficcontrol

[George from New England]

Dangerous and risky doing all without shutdown

[FreedomPoster]

>Replacing thousands of miles of outdated copper wiring with high-speed fiber optics

Fiber is nice, but you can do 10 gigabit per second network links over copper just fine. Unless it’s really old, Cat5e say, and long runs.

The rest of that list of bullet points looks like good stuff, I don’t get leading off with that.

[Omnivore-Dan]

I don’t have a problem with flying in itself, even though the software and hardware are relics. I do have a problem with airports though. Even when there are no air controller problems there always seems to be all kinds of other problems. Over crowding, security problems, union problems, etc. Also, the fact that you may be stuck on a long flight sitting next to someone who has not taken a shower in a week or so, and your SUV rental is not available.

[omni-scientist]

Cat six cable won’t get you very far. Airports are sprawling networks that require miles of cable. Fiber is the only way to go, it is proven and capable technology also ESD, lightning, and EMP-proof.

[Celtic Conservative]

There’s lots of moving parts in an airport, with literally hundreds of contractors. It should be no suprise that they don’t always work well. Especially given the fact that they’re run by the government.

CC

[SmokingJoe]

“Fiber is nice, but you can do 10 gigabit per second network links over copper just fine. Unless it's really old, Cat5e say, and long runs.”

True, but with strict conditions regarding cable quality, distance, and heat management. You can achieve 10 Gbps over copper using 10GBASE-T (RJ45) with Cat6a cabling for up to 100 meters, or Cat6 for shorter runs (roughly 33–55 meters), but it requires high-quality shielding to avoid interference.

Cable Types: Cat6a is recommended for reliable 10Gbps performance, while Cat8 is intended for shorter, high-speed applications.
Limitations: Copper 10GbE generates significant heat and consumes more power compared to fiber optics, often necessitating better cooling for network equipment.
Alternatives: For short distances within a single room, Direct Attached Copper (DAC) cables are more reliable and efficient than standard twisted-pair copper for 10Gbps links.

In summary, it is entirely possible to do 10Gbps over copper “just fine” in a home or data center environment, provided the cabling infrastructure is up to standard (Cat6a/Cat6) and distances are within limits.

Fiber is much much better.

[SmokingJoe]

Yup.

[mewzilla]

Fiber also provides much more bang for the buck.

[SmokingJoe]

Yup.

[Omnivore-Dan]

Yes, and the wrong government at that. Hopefully Duffy will change things for the better. Maybe install stink detectors and showers too.

[paulcissa]

There's endless reasons both technical and financial that make fiber the preferred choice for this use-case. It's not just about capacity and bandwidth.

To that point, 10gbit on copper (doesn't matter what spec) isn't realistic over a 75-150 mile run to TRACON from airfields. Too many repeaters required to keep S/N below acceptable levels for packet loss.

Copper would be a poor choice for a critical infrastructure project.

[PGalt]

GOOD

[FreedomPoster]

I’m thinking within the ATC tower/facility. No one is putting mission critical to ATC gear at the gates.

Look, I like fiber, but Cat6A can do a lot. And no one was running Cat6A miles down the road, that was all fiber.

[FreedomPoster]

See my post just above. Again, I like fiber, will likely end up with a little here at the house before too long. It’s just not the OH WOW! that’s really going to improve the ATC system upgrade I want to hear about as a first bullet point. Talk to me about new systems and displays, new radios, new software. You know, the really important stuff. Subbing some fiber in where copper was doing it before isn’t that.

[PghBaldy]

I am sure this is all good. Now if they can look at what is causing the near misses at airports and in the skies. The past few years have been very worrying. The wakeup call was in Jan 2025 with the DC collision.

[Resolute Conservative]

Sure hope they didn’t increase their AI input. That will be the nail in the coffin for air travel.

[Tommy Revolts]

I suspect DEI.

[Socon-Econ]

How about merit hiring and no more DEI?

[Frank Drebin]

They’re looking for a few good video game masters right now.