• The FAA has issued an RFI for a Common Automation Platform (CAP) to modernize US air traffic control infrastructure.
• The initiative aims to replace the current En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) and Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) with a single automated system.
• The agency is seeking industry input on technical approaches, system architecture, and integration strategies.
• Submissions are due December 19, 2025, and must describe how proposed solutions would work across domestic and oceanic airspace.
• The FAA is open to hybrid concepts and is seeking input on system reliability, cybersecurity protections, long-term maintenance, and scalability.

The FAA's push for a Common Automation Platform may indicate a shift towards more modern and integrated air traffic control systems, which could have implications for the industry's ability to handle growing air traffic and new entrants such as air taxi operations. The agency's emphasis on cybersecurity and scalability suggests a recognition of the importance of these factors in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the national air traffic control system. However, the exact nature and timeline of the CAP initiative are unclear, and it remains to be seen how the FAA will balance the needs of different stakeholders and industries in the development of this new system.