WASHINGTON - Many federal agencies would see their funding cut under President Donald Trump’s recently released discretionary or “skinny” budget request—but not the FAA.
The White House’s proposed fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget would boost FAA funding aimed at addressing critical air traffic controller (ATC) shortages and modernizing aging infrastructure, which Trump himself has described as “very obsolete.” It would set aside $13.8 billion for FAA operations—a $359 million increase over FY 2025—with an additional $824 million for long-overdue facility and radar upgrades, Jack Daleo writes for Flying. Continue reading original article.
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
8 May 2025 - Flying reports that In the Government Accountability Office (GAO) warned that the FAA’s heavy reliance on outdated air traffic control (ATC) systems poses risks to the safe and efficient management of U.S. airspace. The GAO urged the agency to modernize its infrastructure to reduce those vulnerabilities.
In response, the White House is proposing a $5 billion investment in National Airspace System (NAS) modernization. This includes $450 million to begin a multiyear radar replacement initiative and $1 billion in advanced appropriations for facility and radar upgrades, building on the $25 billion in airport and ATC improvements funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
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Jamie Whitney, Senior Editor
Military + Aerospace Electronics
