ZDC CTLR DESCRIBED NEAR OPERROR CAUSED BY FAULTY SWAPPING RADAR MODE C INFO; ALLEGING FAA EQUIP STATUS SUBSTANDARD WITH SAFETY DECREASING.

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A POTENTIAL OPERROR OCCURRED WHEN 2 ACFT SWAPPED MODE C ALT READOUTS. THE RADAR COVERAGE AND CAPABILITIES IN THE VICINITY OF SIE VORTAC ARE SO UNACCEPTABLE THAT ON A DAILY BASIS; TARGETS REGULARLY MOVE UP TO 3 MI FROM ITS LAST KNOWN POS. MODE C REGULARLY SWAPS BTWN ACFT AND PROVIDES ATC WITH INACCURATE INFO DURING CRITICAL AND COMPLEX PHASES OF FLT FOR THE AIR TFC CTLR. IT IS ONLY BECAUSE OF THE SHEER PROFESSIONALISM AND EXPERTISE OF THE CERTIFIED CTLRS WHO WORK THE SIE SECTOR 59 POS; DOES THE SYS WORK; ALBEIT ON 'CRUTCHES.' IT IS IN MY OPINION THAT IF THE PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY OF THE EQUIP THAT SUPPORTS THE FAA MISSION DOESN'T IMPROVE DRAMATICALLY IN THIS LOCATION AND OTHERS; SAFETY MAY BE COMPROMISED RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC RESULTS. I HAVE 23 YRS OF EXPERIENCE AS AN AIR TFC CTLR; AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE EQUIP MORE SUBSTANDARD THAN NOW; ALL AT A TIME WHERE TFC LEVELS IN THE NE ARE AT RECORD LEVELS AND INCREASING; WHILE THE NUMBERS OF QUALIFIED CTLRS ARE DECREASING AT RECORD LEVELS. THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE NAS IS CRUMBLING AT A TIME WHEN OUR COUNTRY NEEDS IT THE MOST; NOT ONLY FOR THE SAFE PASSAGE OF ACFT; CREW AND PAX; BUT FOR OUR NATION'S ABILITY TO DETECT AND DEFEND OUR NATION.