U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said his department had launched the process of identifying a Prime Integrator for the Federal Aviation Administration’s efforts to build a new air traffic control system.
In order to meet the Trump administration’s goal of implementing the new system within three to four years, the USDOT and FAA have expedited the procurement process, Duffy said, and created an innovative procurement contract that will incentivize results. The contract will also hold the Prime Integrator accountable for any missed deadlines, officials said.
“This is the next important step to making our skies safer and air travel more efficient. To avoid the missed deadlines and mistakes of the past, we’ve designed an innovative process to select and contract with one Prime Integrator,” Duffy said. “The bottom line: we are working at the speed of Trump, and we will not let government bureaucracy get in the way of results.”
Duffy has said that building the new air traffic control system, as well as increasing air traffic controller hiring, are top priorities for his department.
“Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill, we have the down payment to start building a new system. The next step is getting the integrator on board, and we are on track,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said. “We are ready to get to work to make sure our controllers have the very best technology.”
Officials said the FAA aims to replace the air traffic control system’s core infrastructure including radar, software, hardware and telecommunications networks, as well as equip facilities with better technology to reduce outages, improve efficiency and reinforce safety. The Prime Integrator will play a key role in managing that effort, officials said.