FAA Installs Surface Radars at Key Airports and Awards $74.3M to AT&T

The FAA continues to move briskly forward on its effort to overhaul the air traffic control system, most recently with the addition of Surface Movement Radars (SMR) at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA) and Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR). Installations mark continued improvements at two key airports, with KDCA coming under scrutiny in the aftermath of the nearby midair collision on Jan. 29, 2025, and Newark being plagued with communications issues in the months following.

Also part of its overarching effort, the FAA submitted a notice last week that it was awarding an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract to AT&T for the FAA Enterprise Network Services (FENS), encompassing a range of communications and information management systems. The initial award includes $74.3 million for early start-up planning and development activities.

KDCA received the Surface Movement Radar Model 4 (SMR-4), following the installation at KEWR by just a few days. The technology will enable controllers to better track aircraft and vehicles on runways and taxiways in all weather and visibility conditions, according to the FAA.

“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,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. “This new radar is our latest reinforcement tool to equip our controllers as they safeguard our air travel.”

Along with the SMR-4, the FAA has replaced 67% of its copper wiring with high-speed fiber, transitioned to electronic flight strips, and installed new radios at KDCA. Further, new electronic information display systems and IP voice switches are scheduled for installation by the end of 2028.

Replacing 30-year-old radar, the SMR-4 is part of $30 million in infrastructure and radar investments at KEWR. In addition, 90% of the copper wire there has been replaced, and the tower is now transitioning to electronic flight strips.

“Newark sees well over a thousand flights per day, and the new Surface Movement Radar will help controllers keep those flights safe at this major U.S. hub,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. 

Ahead by the end of 2027 are new electronic information displays, voice switches, and long-range radar.

Throughout the National Airspace System, the FAA has replaced 60% of all copper wires, converted 363 radio sites, installed 96 Surface Awareness Initiative systems, transitioned 19 towers to electronic flight strips, and installed 151 IP voice switches at control towers.

As for the AT&T award, the agency said it anticipates the IDIQ contract will ultimately carry a “multibillion-dollar” value over 15 years. FENS will be a key communications program for the agency, supporting a range of telecommunications functions, in addition to administrative functions such as email, payroll, and online training. 

The FAA said an accelerated acquisition was necessary to support its December 2028 deadline for a “Brand New Air Traffic Control System,” adding that a competitive procurement would take at least 22 months and make its deadline impossible to meet.

Noting that only three Tier-1 telecommunications providers exist in the U.S., AT&T was the only one willing and able to commit resources to meet the agency’s timeline, according to the FAA. 

The agency also noted its ongoing relationship with AT&T, which is familiar with the FAA telecommunications requirements and National Airspace System infrastructure. This has included support of the agency’s ADS-B and Enterprise Solutions programs.

 “AT&T possesses necessary Tier-1 core network infrastructure, nationwide footprint, network engineering expertise, and operational capabilities to support approximately 4,500 FAA facilities with 24/7/365 mission-critical operation,” the agency further stated.