Wire · technology
US targets $2.2 billion in rebates to airlines that retrofit planes over wireless interference
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Fusion42 · 24 July 2026 · Fusion42 review
The US FAA is mandating all commercial aircraft retrofit radio altimeters by end-2030 to prevent 5G wireless interference, with the government offering up to $2.2 billion in rebates funded by FCC spectrum auction proceeds to cover retrofit costs of $80,000–$120,000 per plane.
This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Aviation Tech, and 9 sources have reported it between 22 Jul 2026 and 28 Jul 2026.
◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway
If you make radio altimeters or avionics retrofit kits, the US has just locked in $7.1 billion of mandatory aircraft upgrades with a hard 2030 deadline for major carriers; the government is paying half the bill, which means airlines will choose suppliers on speed and reliability, not price.
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9 sources · first reported 22 Jul 2026 · latest 28 Jul 2026
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