Trump’s Transportation Secretary Duffy & FAA Administrator Bedford Celebrate Opening of Key Manufacturing Plant for Air Traffic Control Modernization
Plant supports agency’s aggressive air traffic control system modernization overhaul
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and Federal Aviation Administrator Bryan Bedford are celebrating the grand opening of a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Frederick, Maryland, that produces equipment critical to America’s brand-new air traffic control system.
The 87,000 square-foot facility will build digital Voice over IP voice switches that help air traffic controllers communicate with pilots and other air traffic control facilities.
“We’re making sure our air traffic control system is American made,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Under President Trump, we aren't just modernizing our skies at record speed—we’re putting American workers, American manufacturing, and American innovation first.”
“This equipment is a critical part of our landmark air traffic control modernization effort,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “The new facility supports our aggressive schedule to complete the new system by the end of 2028 while strengthening U.S. production capabilities and creating high-quality American jobs.”
Additional Information:
With a $12.5 billion down payment from the Working Families Tax Cut and Secretary Duffy’s leadership, the FAA is moving at the Speed of Trump to make upgrades to our air traffic control system nationwide. In just one year we have:
- Replaced 63% of copper wires with either high-speed fiber, 5G wireless or LEO capabilities in air traffic control facilities nationwide
- Converted 388 radio sites
- Installed Surface Awareness Initiative technology at 96 towers
- Transitioned 21 towers to electronic flight strips
- Installed 176 IP voice switches
- Installed 9 new Tower Simulation systems to train controllers
- Installed SMR4 Surface Movement Radars at 5 airports
The recent installation of the 140th CERTIUM Voice Communication System (VCS) at the Rapid City Regional Airport control tower in South Dakota completed Wave 1 of the nationwide deployment ahead of schedule.
Read more and track our progress on our Modern Skies website.
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