Reagan National Installs SMR-4 Radar as $30.5 Million Safety Upgrade Follows 67 Deaths
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 14
Reagan National Installs SMR-4 Radar as $30.5 Million Safety Upgrade Follows 67 Deaths
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 14
Summary
SMR-4 radar is now operating at Reagan National, giving controllers a clearer view of aircraft and vehicles on runways and taxiways, including in low-visibility weather.
The installation follows the Jan. 29, 2025 midair collision near the airport that killed 67 people when American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed over the Potomac.
NTSB investigators said systemic failures in airspace design, FAA safety oversight and Army risk management contributed to the disaster, and the federal government has admitted liability.
Reagan National is the fifth airport to receive the system, and the Transportation Department said $30.5 million will be invested there over the next three years for additional safety and technology upgrades.
Will upgrading ground radar at Reagan National actually prevent another midair collision like the tragic 2025 Potomac crash?
Why did it take a fatal disaster to finally replace Reagan National's 30-year-old air traffic control technology?
Could the FAA's new safety review of Reagan National's airspace lead to stricter flight caps and fewer available flights?
$30.5 Million for Safety: The DCA SMR-4 Radar Upgrade and the National Response to the 2025 Potomac Mid-Air Collision
Overview
A tragic mid-air collision near Washington National Airport in January 2025, caused by hazardous FAA helicopter routes, lack of charting, and military helicopters flying without ADS-B tracking, killed 67 people and exposed deep systemic failures. The NTSB investigation led to urgent safety reforms: the FAA suspended visual separation, mandated radar-based separation, and required all aircraft to broadcast their positions. This created new demands on air traffic control, prompting a $30.5 million investment in advanced SMR-4 radar and infrastructure upgrades at DCA. Meanwhile, legislative efforts to mandate ADS-B tracking for all aircraft stalled amid national security concerns and debates over data use, leaving some safety gaps unresolved.