New radar strengthens safety modernization at Reagan National Airport

The FAA on Aug. 14 unveiled a new Surface Movement Radar Model 4 (SMR-4) at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), the latest step in its ongoing air traffic modernization effort. What happened The sixth Surface Movement Radar Model 4 (SMR-4) installed in the U.S. comes three days after the announcement of the fifth one at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The new radar is designed to allow ATC to track aircraft and vehicles on runways and taxiways regardless of weather or visibility conditions and is meant to help prevent runway incursions. DCA has replaced 67% of its copper wiring with high-speed fiber, transitioned from paper to electronic flight strips, and installed new radios for ATC. The DOT plans to invest $30.5 million into the airport over the next three years from the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. DCA plans to have new Electronic Information Display Systems and IP voice switches installed by 2028. On-the-ground improvement New aircraft and aircraft technology often dominate headlines, but on-the-ground systems may have a more immediate effect on day-to-day operations. The FAA’s continued investment in radar systems, communications infrastructure, electronic flight strips, and controller tools suggests surface-awareness technology remains a major focus of its airspace-modernization strategy. The FAA states that nationwide it has: Replaced 60% of all copper wires Converted 363 radio sites Installed 96 new Surface Awareness Initiative systems Transitioned 19 towers to electronic flight strips Installed 151 IP voice switches at control towers The proximity of the EWR and DCA announcements reflects a broader national push to replace aging ATC infrastructure. Together, these projects show the FAA moving beyond individual equipment upgrades and toward a more integrated modernization of the national air traffic system.