Washington, DC's Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) celebrated the installation of a new Surface Movement Radar (SMR) on Friday.
DCA, which was the site of a deadly mid-air collision in January 2025, is only the sixth airport to receive a Surface Movement Radar Model 4 (SMR-4) and joins Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), which debuted the new system earlier this week.
The new technology will make life easier for air traffic controllers at the busy airport, allowing them to better track aircraft and vehicles on runways and taxiways in all weather and visibility conditions.
"In just 18 months, we have delivered billions of dollars to air traffic control centers across the country–including $30.5 million right here at Washington Reagan. This new radar is our latest reinforcement tool to equip our controllers as they safeguard our air travel. We’re working at the Speed of Trump to deliver the world-class air traffic control system America deserves," U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement.
"By enabling them to see aircraft and vehicles on the ground no matter the weather or visibility, this new radar will give controllers at DCA a clearer picture of airport activity," added FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. "Our priority is keeping travelers safe, and this radar– along with the numerous other upgrades happening at DCA–will help our controllers do just that."
The new radar is part of a $30.5 million investment into DCA from the Working Families Tax Cuts Act over the next three years designed to modernize the airport with key safety upgrades.
Similarly to Newark, DCA will also install new electronic information display systems and IP voice switches by the end of 2028.
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