FAA Still Billions Short of Funding Needed for ATC Data Automation

Thales becomes latest company to seek contract for common automation platform, but how will the agency fund it?

Jack Daleo

Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 04:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The FAA seeks a common automation platform (CAP) to unify terminal and en route air traffic control (ATC) data as part of a massive modernization effort. [Credit: Thales]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA's Common Automation Platform (CAP), designed to merge ERAM and STARS systems for improved air traffic control efficiency, currently lacks the necessary development and deployment funding.
Competition for the CAP contract is intense, with Thales recently pitching its cloud-based, AI-powered TopSky-America platform, joining other shortlisted companies like Collins Aerospace and Leidos.
The Department of Transportation prioritizes domestic production for critical infrastructure, influencing bidders to commit to U.S.-based software development and job creation for the CAP.

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As competition for the FAA’s common automation platform (CAP) contract heats up, the agency still lacks the funds required to develop the technology, which is envisioned to combine its En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) and Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) platforms.

Thales becomes the latest company to pitch a CAP solution to the FAA. On Wednesday, it announced TopSky-America, a cloud-based, AI-powered platform that it said is tailored for the FAA to enhance information sharing, decision making, and situational awareness for air traffic controllers (ATCs).