American aviation still runs on old floppy disks, billions needed for replacement

The FAA is allocating billions for new computer systems, including essential radars, as many current systems are outdated. Key systems, like the bulletin board, still use floppy disks, and some radar systems are over 35 years old, running on unsupported software like Windows 95. The FAA has long warned about insufficient funding from politics, with investment plans often stalled due to budget conflicts. Despite rising costs, much of the FAA's $3 billion annual maintenance budget goes to keeping outdated infrastructure operational, with some parts sourced from eBay. By the end of 2028, all systems must be updated, with Congress approving over $12 billion for this purpose and an additional $30 billion requested for FAA systems. The FAA has faced negative press due to safety incidents involving aircraft proximity at various airports.