The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is testing multiple technologies, including Elon Musk's Starlink satellite service, as part of efforts to modernise the country's ageing air traffic control system, according to Reuters. The FAA clarified on Wednesday, February 5, that no final decisions have been made regarding the deployment of any particular technology.
The current telecommunications system supporting the national airspace network has faced increasing criticism, with the Government Accountability Office warning that one third of its components are now unsustainable. Lawmakers highlighted the urgency of upgrades during a congressional hearing this week, stressing the need for faster action to improve infrastructure.
The FAA is currently trialling Starlink systems at several locations, including Alaska, where satellite connectivity is helping to restore weather information access for pilots. The agency is also testing Starlink and other technologies such as fibre and wireless communications at facilities in Oklahoma City and Atlantic City.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged that Starlink could play a role in the system's future but would not be the sole solution. “We want to make sure we have fibre connected systems in place, so [Starlink] can play some part of it, but not all of it,” he said.
The FAA's tests are part of the Telecommunications Infrastructure programme, managed under a contract with L3 Harris. The agency is currently reviewing a US$2.4 billion contract with Verizon, which some Democrats have suggested could be reassigned to Starlink. However, the FAA confirmed that no decision has been made regarding the contract's future.
With mounting pressure to address the system's vulnerabilities, the FAA is evaluating various technologies to ensure the safety and reliability of the national airspace system.
