New Radar at Newark Debuts as DOT Seeks $10B More for Air Traffic Control Upgrades

The U.S. Department of Transportation marked a milestone on Monday with the activation of a new surface movement radar (SMR) system at Newark Liberty International Airport, a critical step in the nationwide modernization of the country's air traffic control (ATC) infrastructure. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford highlighted the progress while simultaneously calling for at least $10 billion more in federal funding to continue the extensive upgrades required across the National Airspace System (NAS).

The $12.5 billion allocated by Congress in 2025 laid the groundwork for these improvements, but Duffy and Bedford emphasized that the investment must be scaled up significantly. Duffy, who previously requested $19 billion, stated that while securing $20 billion would be ideal, the department is prepared to accept $10 billion to accelerate modern ATC technology deployment. The Modern Skies Coalition, representing aviation stakeholders including AOPA, recently urged Congress for an additional $20 billion, underscoring the massive resources needed to modernize the system.

The newly installed SMR at Newark replaces a three-decade-old system that had become increasingly unreliable due to obsolete parts no longer manufactured. The radar enhances controllers' ability to monitor ground movements, including vehicles, aircraft on taxiways, runways, and final approaches, particularly valuable in low-visibility conditions. This technology complements the remote control tower installed at Newark, allowing controllers to visualize the airfield even when direct line-of-sight is unavailable. Kathryn Garcia, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, noted that this upgrade improves operational efficiency for controllers managing one of the country's busiest and most complex airspaces.

This radar is the fifth deployment of a planned 53 nationwide installations of the SMR, targeted at the busiest airports to improve surface awareness and safety. Other airports, including LaGuardia and JFK, are slated to receive the SMR technology within the next two years. This rollout reflects ongoing efforts to address vulnerabilities exposed by radar outages last year at Newark, which caused significant operational disruptions and raised concerns about equipment aging and reliability.

Beyond hardware upgrades, a vital component of the modernization effort is the development of the Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes, and Trajectories (SMART) system. This AI-driven software tool aims to forecast airspace conditions months ahead, enabling more efficient management of traffic and weather disruptions. Duffy indicated that partial testing of SMART will commence in September, with full deployment expected by spring. The requested $10 billion in funding would cover software development, while an additional $10 billion would be required to construct new towers and facilities crucial for integrating these systems.

FAA Administrator Bedford stressed that modernization is essential to meet forecasted growth in passenger traffic, expected to double from 1 to 2 billion passengers annually over 20 years. Staffing efforts are also progressing rapidly, with 4,000 new controllers hired since the initiative began, many of whom are nearing certification or currently in training. However, he acknowledged that current terminal facilities remain understaffed, necessitating urgent action to close these gaps alongside technical advancements.

The modernization program also includes extensive upgrades beyond radars and software—replacing copper wiring, converting radio sites, installing new voice switches, and moving from paper to electronic flight strips across numerous towers. Progress since April has been notable; for example, surface awareness initiative installations have risen from 54 to 96, and radio site conversions from about 250 to 363, reflecting a broad, nationwide effort.

Secretary Duffy conveyed that President Donald Trump is closely involved, frequently requesting updates and supporting the financial investments necessary for progress. The administration's sustained interest underscores the urgency felt across aviation agencies to ensure the nation's airspace infrastructure is safe, secure, and capable of handling future demand.

The integration of AI tools like SMART is designed not to replace controllers but to augment their decision-making capabilities, allowing more dynamic use of available airspace and reducing unnecessary closures due to weather or other factors. This aligns with fundamental FAA goals of maintaining safe separation while increasing capacity and efficiency. Though substantial funding needs remain, the new radar installation at Newark represents a tangible advancement in this comprehensive modernization campaign.