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This sobering fact was confirmed this week by \u00a0Chris Rocheleau\u00a0, acting administrator of the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), during a statement to the House Appropriations Committee. His message was clear: some control towers are still using \u00a0paper strips and floppy disks\u00a0 for flight coordination. These technologies, introduced in the 1970s, remain operational at certain airports across the country.<\/p>\n
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The public radio network \u00a0NPR\u00a0 has added fuel to the fire, stating that there are even computers still operating on \u00a0Windows 95\u00a0 (yes, Sweden’s trains are not the only ones using this system). Although a more modern alternative than floppy disks, this operating system no longer receives support\u2014its extended support ended over two decades ago. Microsoft discontinued updates for \u00a0Windows 95\u00a0 on December 31, 2001, offering no guarantees or security support for this environment today.<\/p>\n
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Outdated Technology, Yet Functional<\/h2>\n
So why are these technologies still in use? The answer is simple: they work. They have been functioning reliably for decades. Air traffic control systems (known as ATC) must remain operational \u00a024\/7\u00a0, and this historical reliability has seemingly led nobody to take the leap of faith needed for a complete overhaul. However, this margin for inaction is beginning to dwindle.<\/p>\n
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The new Secretary of Transportation, \u00a0Sean Duffy\u00a0, has highlighted that modernizing the system is now a national priority. In his words, \u201cthis is the most important infrastructure project the country has seen in decades.\u201d This statement aligns with growing concerns within the sector: from controller unions to industrial groups like \u00a0Modern Skies\u00a0, calls for deep reforms have begun to resound.<\/p>\n
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The \u00a0Government Accountability Office (GAO)\u00a0 published a report in March 2025 with striking conclusions: of the 138 systems comprising the FAA’s infrastructure, 51 were deemed \u00a0unsustainable\u00a0, and 54 were classified as potentially unsustainable. Many have been in service for over 30 years, while some date back more than 60 years.<\/p>\n
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The report warns that these platforms are not only vulnerable to technical failures; they are also becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. There are no longer spare parts available, specialists for these antiquated architectures are retiring, and temporary fixes, such as virtualization, are not always applicable in critical environments.<\/p>\n
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\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\nFaced with this troubling scenario, the Department of Transportation has opened a call for proposals from private companies to tackle this \u00a0next-generation technology\u00a0 challenge. In the meantime, the current system remains operational, but is increasingly being built on a fragile foundation. Time will tell if this moment will finally lead to a shift towards a modernized infrastructure.<\/p>\n
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Images | Rohde Schwarz<\/a> | Microsoft<\/a> | Ashim D\u2019Silva<\/a><\/p>\n As the discussion surrounding outdated technology and the importance of security continues, it’s crucial for sectors like air traffic control to make substantial changes. Only then can we ensure that our skies remain safe and secure for the future.<\/p>\n