Federal officials are rolling out a major modernization effort aimed at improving air traffic control safety and reliability, with Newark Liberty International Airport among the latest facilities to receive upgraded technology.

The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration highlighted the installation of a new surface movement radar tower at Newark. The system is designed to give controllers a clearer view of aircraft and vehicles moving around the airport, particularly during nighttime operations and periods of poor visibility.

The Newark project is part of a broader nationwide overhaul of aging air traffic control infrastructure. Planned improvements include modern radar equipment, enhanced systems for tracking activity on airport surfaces, upgraded communications radios and replacements for traditional paper-based tower flight strips.

Federal officials say the modernization effort will also place a greater emphasis on American-made technology and equipment, which they argue will strengthen domestic manufacturing while supporting jobs tied to the aviation industry.

The FAA is also working to address longstanding staffing shortages. The agency says it has hired approximately 2,000 new air traffic controllers as it expands the workforce responsible for managing the nation’s increasingly busy airspace.

Officials say the combination of new technology and additional personnel is intended to improve safety, reduce operational bottlenecks and create a more reliable air traffic system nationwide in the years ahead.