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

Wednesday, acting FAA Administrator Chris Rochiliu Stated Federal Aviation Administration is the House Application Committee that plans to replace its old age Air traffic control measuresWhich still depends on the floppy disk and Windows 95 computers, the hardware of Tom ReportThe The company has issued a request for information to collect proposals from companies wishing to deal with a lot of infrastructure overhaul.

“The whole idea is to replace the system. No more floppy disk or paper strip,” said Rocheleu at the committee hearing. US Transport Secretary Shan Duffy has called this project “the most important infrastructure project for decades in this country”, describing it as bilateral priority.

In the United States most air traffic control towers and facilities work with technology that currently appears to be frozen in the 20th century, though it is not effectively bad – when it works. Some controllers currently use Strips of paper To track data transfer between systems using aircraft and floppy disk, while their computers run Microsoft Windows 95 The operating system, which was launched in 1995.

As Tom’s hardware notes, the modernization of the system is hugely popular. Sheldon Jacobson, Professor of Illinois University who has studied at risk Air -airThe system that says Works significantly As it is, however, an upgrade is still criticized, according to the NPR. Aviation Industrial Alliance Modern Akash ATC Modernization and Stress Recently Publish an advertisement To highlight the old technology.

Although the vintage systems are unknowingly, the air traffic controls can be protected from the extensive disruptions like this Crowd It has disrupted modern computer systems worldwide in 2024, Agency officials say FAA’s 138 systems are unstable due to 51 old functionality and lack of spare parts.

FAA is not alone in the floppy disk technology. San Francisco train control system Still on the doss 5.25 inch is loaded from floppy disk, upgrades upgrades upgrades upgrades up to 2030 due to budget constraints. There is also Japan Struggle in recent years To modernize the official record systems that use floppy disk.

What if it didn’t break?

Air Traffic Control System presents modernization engineering challenges that extend beyond installing new computers only. Contrary to the general IT upgrade, the ATC systems must maintain an continuous 24/7 operation, as the facilities for maintenance can compromise with the protection of aircraft.

This uptime requirement eliminates the possibility of transplanting system transplantation, where the old hardware is removed during the scheduled downtime. Replacement systems must meet the protection requirements to prevent cybattacks. A successful violation of air traffic control infrastructure can paralyze national airline networks, which can affect transport, trade and emergency services.

And not everyone is sure that the planned huge overhall will achieve the desired effects. A NPR reports In the issue, the airline analyst Robert W Mannar has expressed doubts about whether new systems will be implemented in reality.

“It was the same mantra for the past 3 years. Give them more money. They will create the new system it will do it better, work more hard,” Man told NPR. “And we’ve been doing it for more than 30 years now, and we’ve got the same results.”