US air traffic control retires floppy disk system
The United States Federal Aviation Administration is replacing an antiquated air traffic control system that still depended on 1980s floppy disks and outdated hardware. This modernization effort follows a fatal 2025 mid-air collision and aims to improve efficiency by consolidating fragmented, failing infrastructure.
The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is finally retiring a long-standing air traffic control system that relied on 1980s-era floppy disks. These legacy disks were utilized for managing critical data such as weather reports, flight routes, and airport statuses. To address these vulnerabilities, the agency is transitioning to the new Enterprise Information Display System, as part of a massive modernization initiative supported by 12.5 billion dollars in congressional funding.
The push for an overhaul gained urgency following a tragic January 2025 collision between a military helicopter and a passenger plane near Washington, which resulted in 67 fatalities. Beyond floppy disks, the current infrastructure still relies on 1970s radar technology and computers running Windows 95 at over 300 locations. Transport Secretary Sean Duffy has argued that the outdated equipment is not worth maintaining, especially as officials struggle to source spare parts from secondary markets like eBay. While the FAA claims the existing network remains safe, the move to replace inefficient systems is intended to prevent future malfunctions.
Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
