Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy personally oversaw the installation of new surface movement radar at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Aug. 18. The upgrade is the most visible step yet in the federal government’s aviation safety overhaul following the January 2025 mid-air collision near the airport that killed dozens.
The new equipment gives air traffic controllers precise real-time tracking of aircraft and vehicles on runways to prevent incursions, directly addressing a safety gap identified in the accident investigation.
Duffy said the radar installation demonstrates the administration’s commitment to ensuring the traveling public can fly safely in and out of one of the nation’s busiest airports, according to a Department of Transportation press release.
A parallel radar upgrade at Newark Liberty International Airport was announced Aug. 11, reflecting a broader program of surface movement technology improvements at high-traffic U.S. airports, the department said.
Surface movement radar systems track the precise position and speed of all aircraft and ground vehicles on airport runways and taxiways, providing controllers with the information needed to prevent runway incursions. Such incidents remain among the most dangerous events in aviation.
The January 2025 mid-air collision between a regional passenger jet and a military helicopter near Reagan National killed all aboard both aircraft and prompted a sweeping review of air traffic control staffing, technology, and procedures at the airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation into the crash identified multiple contributing factors, including air traffic control workload and situational awareness limitations.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which operates Reagan National, worked with the FAA on the radar installation, the department said.