FAA Proposes $4.5B Radio Altimeter Upgrades to Counter 5G Risks
The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a sweeping new rule that would require airlines to replace or upgrade nearly 60,000 radio altimeters across the US commercial fleet, at an estimated cost of $4.5 billion, to address the risk of interference from expanding 5G wireless networks. Under the proposal, airlines would be required to complete compliance by 2029, marking one of the most significant avionics mandates in recent decades.
Radio altimeters play a critical role in aviation safety, providing precise height-above-ground data during approaches and landings, particularly in low-visibility conditions. The FAA has long maintained that certain 5G signals—especially those operating in nearby spectrum bands—can interfere with altimeter performance, potentially affecting automated landing systems, terrain awareness alerts, and other safety-critical functions.
The proposed rule follows years of interim measures introduced after US wireless carriers began deploying 5G services near airports. These temporary protections included reduced transmission power levels and exclusion zones around major runways. However, those safeguards are scheduled to expire after 2027, increasing urgency for a permanent technical solution. The FAA has warned that future changes in wireless spectrum usage could further elevate interference risks if older altimeters remain in service.
Under the plan, airlines would be required either to replace non-compliant altimeters or to upgrade existing units with improved filtering and resilience against out-of-band emissions. The FAA argues that an industry-wide modernization is the only sustainable way to ensure safety as telecommunications networks continue to evolve.
Airlines and industry groups are expected to scrutinize the proposal closely. While carriers broadly agree on the importance of maintaining safety margins, the cost and scale of the mandate are substantial. In addition to the direct expense of new equipment, airlines would face installation downtime, certification requirements, and coordination with manufacturers and maintenance providers. Some operators have argued that wireless providers should shoulder a greater share of the financial burden, given that the interference risk stems from telecom spectrum decisions rather than aviation system failures.
The FAA, however, has taken a firm position. In its view, reliance on temporary operational restrictions for 5G networks is not a long-term solution, and aviation systems must be robust enough to operate safely alongside modern telecommunications infrastructure. The agency has emphasized that the proposal is intended to provide regulatory certainty, replacing years of ad hoc mitigations with a clear compliance pathway.
If finalized, the rule would represent a decisive shift from short-term coexistence measures to permanent technological upgrades. For airlines, the mandate underscores how digital infrastructure beyond aviation—such as wireless networks—can drive major changes inside the cockpit. For regulators, it reflects a continued emphasis on precaution, ensuring that safety-critical avionics keep pace with an increasingly connected world.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com