Air Traffic Control in the US Still Runs on Windows 95 and Floppy Disks

Wednesday, moving FAA administrator Chris Rocheleau tell The House Committee of the House Planned to replace the aging of the Federal Aviation Administration Air traffic control systemsstill relies on floppy disks and Windows 95 computers, Tom’s Office report. The agency asked for information to collect proposals from companies wishing to resolve the overhaul of mass infrastructure.

“The whole idea is to replace the system. There are no floppy or paper strips,” Rocheleau said at a meeting of the committee. US Transport Secretary Sean Duffy, “The most important infrastructure project we have given our decades in this country described the project as a bipartan priority.

Currently, air traffic control towers and facilities in the United States are currently working with frozen technology in the 20th century, although it is not necessarily a bad thing. Some supervisors currently use Paper lanes Tracking aircraft movements and transmit data between the systems using diskettes, and their computers operate Microsoft Windows 95 Operating system starting in 1995.

As Tom’s hardware notes, the system modernization is widespread. Sheldon Jacobson, the University of Illinois, Prof. studying the risks. aviationsays the system is Works pretty well According to NPR, an update is still important. The Aviation Industry Coalition Modern Skyes Modernized ATC and recently pushed left an ad emphasize outdated technology.

Vintage systems can constantly monitor air traffic Crowdstrike event In 2024 he broke up modern computer systems on a global scale The agency officials say 51 of the 138 FAA systems are unstable due to the lack of outdated functionality and spare parts.

FAA is not alone to stick to floppy technology. San Francisco’s train control system It still works in DOS Due to budget restrictions, up to 2030, 325 inch floppy disks, unloaded disks were loaded. Japan also has fought in recent years Modernize government recording systems using disks.

If it is not broken?

Moderning Air Traffic Management System presents more engineering problems that are simply to install new computers. Unlike typical IT updates, the ATC systems must continue its 24/7 operation, because it can close the possibilities for repairs.

This work time requirement eliminates the possibility of traditional system change approaches where the old device is changed to the planned business. Replacement systems must meet safety requirements to resist cyberatiates. The successful violation of air traffic control infrastructure can paralyze national aviation networks, resulting in transport, trade and emergency services.

However, everyone will achieve any effects of planned maintenance and any effects. One NPR report The issue, Aviation Industry Analysis Robert W. Mann Jr., said that new systems are in fact, it will be realized.

“It’s been the same mantra in the last 30 years. Give them more. They will build a new system. He will work better, will work more,” he said. “And now we do it for 30 years and achieved the same results.”