Planes Must Get New Radar Tech to Stop Deadly Midair Crashes

The House is set to vote on a bill that would force every aircraft near busy airports to carry two kinds of radar tools: one that tells the world where it is, and another that lets pilots see other planes around them. The change comes after a 2023 collision near Washington, D. C. , that killed 67 people, when an American Airlines jet hit a U. S. Army helicopter. The Senate already passed the measure, but the House version is different. It does not require both tools right away; instead it asks regulators to study which technology works best before making a final rule. The Senate bill, known as the ROTOR act, would make both tools mandatory immediately. Families of those who died in the crash back the Senate bill, saying that quick action on collision‑avoidance tech is vital. They argue that the House proposal delays a solution that could have saved lives. Airline groups, including American Airlines and general aviation associations, support the House bill but some argue it is not comprehensive enough.The Department of Defense withdrew its earlier support for the ROTOR act, citing budget and security concerns. House leaders also criticize the Senate bill for not covering all 50 recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation. Both bills aim to improve a system called Automatic Dependent Surveillance‑Broadcast (ADS‑B). Current aircraft already send their position to the sky, but many do not receive that information. ADS‑B In would let pilots see where other planes are, giving them a better chance to avoid collisions. The NTSB says this missing feature contributed to the fatal crash. Advocates say that waiting for more data or a longer study is not acceptable when the risk still exists. They urge lawmakers to pass the ROTOR act now and then work on a broader package that addresses all safety gaps identified by the NTSB.