The US Federal Aviation Administration is upgrading air traffic control systems that have relied on floppy disks since the 1980s. These outdated systems, found at over 400 facilities nationwide, contain vital weather and critical information for controllers. The FAA will replace them with the Enterprise Information Display System (E-IDS), a modern digital display platform.
Installation will begin at five initial sites, including Atlantic City International Airport, Nashville International Airport, and Greater Rochester International Airport, as well as data hubs in Atlanta and Salt Lake City. The goal is full deployment across 435 sites by the end of 2028. The transition promises faster information access, reduced repair costs, and improved safety for public air travel.
Despite their age, floppy disks remained in use longer than expected in government; the US Air Force only retired 8-inch diskettes tied to nuclear missile silos in 2019, and the Japanese government phased out its remaining systems in 2024.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing