Wire · regulatory
FAA to require 5G-tolerant radio altimeters as FCC clears C-band auction
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Fusion42 · 26 July 2026 · Fusion42 review
The FAA has issued a final rule requiring all US radio altimeters to meet new 5G interference-tolerance standards, with compliance deadlines staggered by aircraft type. The FCC simultaneously cleared Upper C-band spectrum (3.98–4.14 GHz) for auction, with safeguards including power limits, buffer zones, and a rebate programme funded by auction proceeds to offset retrofit costs estimated at $4.49–$7 billion across 40,900 aircraft.
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 avionics or retrofit components for aircraft, you're about to win a $4–7 billion mandate: every altimeter in the US fleet needs replacement or upgrade, with a government rebate programme accelerating deployment. That's 40,900 aircraft on a government timeline.
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9 sources · first reported 22 Jul 2026 · latest 28 Jul 2026
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