FAA air traffic control radar modernization

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is implementing the SMR-4 Surface Movement Radar system across major United States airports as part of a $12.5 billion national air traffic control modernization plan. The technology is designed to provide air traffic controllers with high-precision visibility of aircraft and vehicles on runways and taxiways, which is particularly useful during nighttime operations or low-visibility weather conditions to prevent runway incursions.

At Newark Liberty International Airport, the system replaced a 30-year-old radar that had become difficult to maintain. Following this, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport became the fifth airport to adopt the technology. The installation at Reagan National follows a fatal midair collision in January 2025 involving a PSA Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated the system provides controllers with a “clearer portrait” of airport activity, supported by a $30.5 million commitment toward safety and technology improvements at Reagan National.