AOPA Welcomes Integrator Announcement as ATC Modernization Efforts Advance
As the prime integrator, Peraton will coordinate the design, testing, and deployment of a fully modernized ATC system—representing a major shift from decades of incremental fixes. Peraton will also ensure new technologies are brought online safely and work seamlessly across the National Airspace System.
Congress allocated $12.5 billion for this modernization work in July, most of which will be used to replace outdated communications equipment and radar systems. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy recently said the agency will need an additional $20 billion to complete the effort.
“This air traffic control modernization effort is long overdue, and I applaud DOT Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford for their leadership,” said AOPA President and CEO Darren Pleasance. “While the bulk of the work still lies ahead, I am confident that Peraton will deliver an integrated system that uses modern technology to make our airspace more efficient, resilient, and reliable. AOPA stands ready to support these efforts any way we can.”
AOPA has been a key member of the Modern Skies Coalition—made up of more than 50 organizations and companies that represent every segment of the aviation industry—since its formation. Together, this united front continues to strongly support modernizing our nation’s existing air traffic control system rather than being diverted with divisive, costly, and time-consuming proposals of who controls the system.
“Despite the need for an upgrade, our nation has the largest, most complex, and safest air traffic control system in the world,” said Pleasance. “Unfortunately, some continue to argue that a private or non-government entity would solve our problems, but the reality is that our airspace is far busier and more complex than those countries that have privatized—and those systems face delays, funding problems, and staffing challenges. We need to keep the focus on modernizing our air traffic system and maintaining the gold standard in aviation.”
