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US FAA to spend $6 billion on air traffic telecom, radar systems

By Thomson Reuters Dec 16, 2025 | 9:47 AM

WASHINGTON, Dec 16 (Reuters) – The head of the Federal Aviation Administration said ‍Tuesday the agency is committing $6 billion by the end of the year on new air traffic ‌control telecom infrastructure ‌and radar surveillance systems that will be deployed by the end of 2028.

Congress in June ​approved $12.5 billion to reform the aging U.S. ‍air traffic ​control system and the ​administration wants another $19 billion ‍or more to complete the effort. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford at a U.S. House aviation subcommiteee ‍hearing also defended the agency’s decision to require flight cuts ‍during ‍a prolonged government ​shutdown and said ​he ⁠would ensure the safety ‌of air traffic in Washington despite legislation that could allow more military helicopter flights.

(Reporting by David Shepardson in ⁠Washington)