DOT ‘Ready to Brief’ Trump on Brand New ATC System Integrator

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the selection of a lead contractor is imminent.

Jack Daleo

Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 03:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Air traffic control tower at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is nearing the selection of a private "prime integrator" to oversee the FAA's extensive "Brand New Air Traffic Control System" (BNATCS) modernization effort.
This multi-billion dollar initiative aims to replace the country's largely outdated ATC infrastructure, including switching to fiber optics and digital communications, to enhance safety and efficiency after recent system failures and incidents.
Unlike previous efforts, the private integrator will handle both technical and managerial responsibilities, acting as a general contractor to acquire, install, and ensure the functionality of new systems, with Phase 1 targeted for completion within 3.5 years.
Significant challenges remain, including securing the full $31.5 billion in requested funding and meeting the ambitious timeline, especially given past issues with FAA modernization projects like NextGen.

See a mistake? Contact us.

FAA administrator Bryan Bedford said Wednesday that the Department of Transportation (DOT) is close to picking a prime integrator—essentially a general contractor—to lead the agency’s Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) effort.

Unlike previous efforts such as NextGen, The BNATCS plan—which aims to modernize the country’s ATC systems with infrastructure upgrades and new facilities—will rely on a private company to oversee both technical and managerial responsibilities. Bedford said the hope is for the integrator to “get on board and take our plan and make it even better.”