Defense & Military
RTX Collins Aerospace Wins NATO Contract for Advanced Electronic Warfare System
RTX’s Collins Aerospace secures NATO contract to deliver AI-enabled Electronic Warfare Planning and Battle Management system enhancing spectrum dominance.
Introduction
In September 2025, RTX Corporation’s Collins Aerospace division secured a significant contract with the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) to deliver advanced Electronic Warfare Planning and Battle Management (EWPBM) systems. This development is more than a milestone for Collins Aerospace; it reflects NATO’s strategic prioritization of electromagnetic spectrum dominance in modern military operations. As the electromagnetic environment becomes increasingly contested, NATO’s decision underscores the alliance’s commitment to technological superiority and integrated defense capabilities.
The awarded EWPBM system aims to provide NATO commanders with real-time situational awareness, automate sensor management, and coordinate electronic warfare assets across complex operational theaters. This move comes amid a surge in global defense spending, particularly within NATO, and a rapidly growing electronic warfare market. The contract not only strengthens RTX’s market position but also signals broader trends in defense technology, multi-domain operations, and geopolitical competition.
This article explores the evolution of electromagnetic warfare, the specifics of the Collins Aerospace contract, market and industry trends, and the broader strategic implications for NATO and the global defense landscape.
The Evolution of Electromagnetic Warfare in Modern Doctrine
Changing Military Priorities and the Rise of Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations
The electromagnetic spectrum has emerged as a critical domain in contemporary military doctrine, alongside traditional land, air, sea, and cyber domains. Electronic warfare (EW) comprises electronic attack, electronic protection, and electronic support, functions that are now essential as modern militaries rely heavily on digital communications, precision navigation, and sensor networks. This reliance creates both operational advantages and vulnerabilities, making spectrum dominance a strategic imperative.
Historical conflicts have demonstrated the decisive impact of EW. During the 1991 Gulf War, U.S. forces used coordinated jamming and anti-radiation missiles to neutralize Iraqi air defenses, shaping the outcome of the campaign. Today, adversaries have developed more sophisticated EW capabilities, necessitating advanced countermeasures and integrated planning. Russian doctrine, for example, emphasizes EW as a central pillar of information warfare, while Chinese military strategy incorporates EW into broader anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) frameworks.
Recent conflicts, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine, have highlighted the real-world significance of EW. Russian forces have deployed systems like Zhitel and Krasukha for communications jamming and GPS spoofing, demonstrating the ability to degrade enemy command and control within minutes. The proliferation of unmanned systems and sensor networks further amplifies the importance of EW, as congested and contested electromagnetic environments become the norm on modern battlefields.
“Success in future conflicts will depend on the ability to operate effectively when traditional communication and navigation systems are degraded, denied, or disrupted.”
NATO’s Strategic Response and the Need for Interoperable Solutions
NATO’s investment in advanced EW capabilities is a direct response to the evolving threat landscape. The alliance recognizes that future conflicts will be decided by the capacity to dominate the electromagnetic spectrum and deny adversaries the same. This requires not only advanced technology but also interoperability across national boundaries and service branches.
The EWPBM system delivered by Collins Aerospace is designed to address these requirements. By integrating data from operational systems, intelligence sources, and distributed sensors, the system provides a unified Recognized Electromagnetic Picture (REP) and an Electronic Order of Battle (EOB). This enables commanders to visualize threats, coordinate jamming operations, and automate asset management in real time.
Automation and AI are increasingly central to EW planning and execution. The EWPBM system’s AI-driven features reduce response times and optimize resource allocation, ensuring that NATO forces can counter rapidly evolving threats. This aligns with the alliance’s broader shift toward multi-domain operations, where electromagnetic effects must be synchronized with kinetic, cyber, and information operations.
NATO’s Electronic Warfare Planning and Battle Management System
Technical Capabilities and System Integration
The EWPBM system represents a leap forward in EW command and control. It fuses data from multiple sources to create a comprehensive REP, correlating electromagnetic signatures with geographic locations and operational patterns. The EOB function provides detailed information on electronic devices in the operational area, supporting tactical decisions and resource allocation.
Advanced Automation is a hallmark of the system. AI-enabled threat detection and response algorithms continuously monitor the electromagnetic environment, adapt to new threat signatures, and recommend or execute countermeasures. This reduces the cognitive load on operators and allows for faster, more effective responses in dynamic scenarios.
Interoperability is a core requirement. The EWPBM system uses standardized data formats and communication protocols to ensure seamless integration with NATO’s command and control infrastructure. Its modular architecture allows for scalability, from small tactical units to theater-level commands, making it suitable for diverse mission requirements across the alliance.
“The system equips commanders with critical tools to visualize electronic warfare threats while automating the deployment and coordination of jammers and sensors.” — Ryan Bunge, Collins Aerospace
Operational Impact and Implementation
NATO’s adoption of the EWPBM system is expected to enhance alliance-wide EW coordination and operational effectiveness. By providing a common operating picture and automating key functions, the system enables faster decision-making and more efficient use of EW assets. This is particularly important in coalition operations, where forces from multiple nations must work together seamlessly.
The system’s deployment will involve rigorous testing, validation, and integration phases. Collins Aerospace will collaborate closely with NATO to ensure that the system meets operational requirements and enhances collective defense capabilities. The focus on interoperability and scalability means that the system can evolve alongside emerging threats and technological advancements.
Ultimately, the EWPBM system is a foundational capability for NATO’s multi-domain operations strategy. It supports the alliance’s ability to respond to hybrid threats that combine conventional, cyber, and electronic attacks, ensuring that NATO remains agile and resilient in an increasingly complex security environment.
Market Dynamics, Financial Context, and Industry Trends
Growth of the Electronic Warfare Market
The global electronic warfare market is experiencing robust growth, driven by rising recognition of spectrum dominance as a critical military capability. Market analysts project that the EW market will expand from $19.44 billion in 2024 to $538.30 billion by 2033, with compound annual growth rates varying between 8.3% and 44.63%, depending on the segment and methodology. The cognitive EW segment, which leverages AI and machine learning, is expected to see particularly strong growth, reaching $82.99 billion by 2033.
North America leads global EW spending, accounting for about 40% of the market and generating over $7 billion in regional revenue. The United States alone allocates more than $11 billion annually to EW research and development, with $5 billion specifically earmarked for capability enhancements in 2024. In Europe, NATO members have collectively increased their defense investments, contributing $454 billion to alliance spending in 2024.
This surge in spending reflects a strategic shift toward proactive investment in next-generation EW systems, driven by lessons from recent conflicts and the need to counter near-peer adversaries. As a result, defense contractors with advanced EW portfolios, such as RTX, are well positioned to capture significant market share.
RTX’s Financial Performance and Strategic Positioning
RTX Corporation has demonstrated strong financial performance, reporting $80.74 billion in revenue for 2024, an increase of nearly 12% over the previous year. Adjusted earnings per share grew 13% to $5.73, supported by a robust backlog of $218 billion, including $93 billion in defense programs. The company’s $7.5 billion annual R&D investment underpins its technological leadership in EW, AI, and other critical areas.
Recent contract wins, such as the $904 million Cooperative Engagement Capability contract with the U.S. Navy and the $590 million Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band production contract, have further strengthened RTX’s position. The company’s strategic partnerships, including co-production agreements with European firms, enhance its ability to meet customer requirements and expand its industrial footprint.
RTX’s diversified structure, encompassing Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon, enables it to deliver integrated solutions across multiple domains. This positions the company to lead in the development and deployment of advanced EW systems for both U.S. and international customers.
Broader Industry and Geopolitical Trends
The growing importance of EW is reflected in broader defense spending trends. NATO’s collective military expenditure reached $1.5 trillion in 2024, representing 55% of global defense spending. The alliance’s new target of 5% of GDP by 2035 signals a long-term commitment to modernization and capability development.
Geopolitical competition with Russia and China is a key driver of these investments. Both adversaries have demonstrated sophisticated EW capabilities, prompting NATO to accelerate the development and fielding of advanced countermeasures. International cooperation and interoperability are increasingly vital, as no single nation can address the full spectrum of EW threats alone.
The convergence of EW, cyber operations, and AI is reshaping the defense technology landscape. Companies that can integrate capabilities across domains will have a distinct competitive advantage, while those that remain siloed may struggle to keep pace with evolving requirements.
Conclusion
The NATO contract awarded to RTX’s Collins Aerospace division marks a pivotal step in the alliance’s efforts to modernize its electromagnetic warfare capabilities. The EWPBM system’s advanced situational awareness, automation, and interoperability features address critical operational needs validated by recent conflicts and emerging threats. By integrating AI-driven planning and real-time response, the system positions NATO to maintain spectrum dominance in contested environments.
Looking ahead, sustained investment in EW, AI, and integrated multi-domain operations will be essential for NATO and its partners. As the electronic warfare market continues to expand and adversary capabilities evolve, collaborative development and technological innovation will remain at the forefront of defense strategy. RTX’s leadership in this space, supported by strong financials and a comprehensive technology portfolio, ensures it will play a central role in shaping the future of military operations in the electromagnetic domain.
FAQ
What is the Electronic Warfare Planning and Battle Management (EWPBM) system?
The EWPBM system is an advanced software solution developed by Collins Aerospace for NATO. It provides real-time situational awareness of the electromagnetic spectrum, automates sensor and jammer management, and enables commanders to coordinate electronic warfare operations across complex environments.
Why is electromagnetic warfare important for NATO?
Electromagnetic warfare is critical because modern militaries depend on digital communications, navigation, and sensor networks. Dominating the electromagnetic spectrum protects these assets and degrades adversary capabilities, which is essential for operational success in contemporary conflicts.
How large is the global electronic warfare market?
Market projections vary, but analysts estimate the global electronic warfare market could grow from $19.44 billion in 2024 to $538.30 billion by 2033, with particularly strong growth in AI-enabled and cognitive EW segments.
What role does artificial intelligence play in modern electronic warfare?
AI enhances EW systems by enabling automated threat detection, adaptive countermeasure deployment, and real-time data analysis. This allows for faster and more effective responses to evolving threats, reducing the workload on human operators.
How does RTX benefit from the NATO contract?
The contract strengthens RTX’s position as a leader in the defense technology sector, expands its market share in the growing EW domain, and validates its technological approach to integrated, AI-enabled battle management systems.
Sources:
RTX News Center
Photo Credit: RTX
Defense & Military
Swarm Aero Selects Honeywell TPE331 to Power Group 5 UAS
Swarm Aero picks Honeywell’s TPE331 turboprop for its Group 5 UAS program, backed by $59M in total funding.
On June 9, 2026, California-based startup Swarm Aero announced the selection of Honeywell Aerospace’s legacy TPE331 turboprop engine to power its forthcoming Group 5 Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS). The integration of a commercially proven powerplant aims to bypass the payload and range limitations of current battery technology for large-scale autonomous defense platforms.
In a press release issued Tuesday, Swarm Aero confirmed that Honeywell has already supplied the initial propulsion systems under the contract. The partnership pairs a next-generation autonomous swarm platform with an engine originally certified in 1965, a strategy designed to reduce technical risk and accelerate production timelines for military applications.
Bridging legacy propulsion and autonomous systems
The Honeywell TPE331 brings extensive operational history to the new UAS program. Since its initial certification, Honeywell has delivered 13,000 TPE331 engines, accumulating 122 million flight hours across the commercial, agricultural, and military aviation sectors.
Swarm Aero Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Peter Kalogiannis noted the deep relationship required between aircraft and engine manufacturers, stating the company sought a partner that viewed them as more than just a customer.
“The TPE331 is a proven, cost-effective, high-performance engine with an extraordinary legacy, and we’re proud to build our aircraft around it,” Kalogiannis said.
Matt Milas, President of Defense and Space at Honeywell Aerospace, emphasized that the defense landscape is shifting toward distributed and autonomous operations where production scale is critical. He noted that pairing proven systems with new platforms allows the industry to field capabilities faster and more affordably.
Scaling production for Group 5 UAS operations
According to defense publication BriefGlance, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) defines Group 5 UAS as the largest category of military unmanned systems, encompassing aircraft weighing more than 1,320 pounds (600 kilograms) and typically operating above 18,000 feet. Platforms in this category require significant payload capacity and endurance, operational requirements that current battery technologies cannot support at scale.
To support the anticipated production volume, Swarm Aero recently opened an 80,000-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The company, headquartered in Oxnard, California, also recently closed a $35 million Series A funding round led by Two Sigma Ventures and Silent Ventures. This brings Swarm Aero’s total raised capital to $59 million since its founding in 2022.
Oliver Palmer, Chief Revenue Officer and Co-Founder of Swarm Aero, stated the company is focused on building an ecosystem capable of producing and operating aircraft at scale, shifting the focus from individual aircraft to the capabilities of the swarm.
AirPro News analysis
We view Swarm Aero’s selection of the TPE331 as a pragmatic approach to defense procurement. By utilizing a commercial off-the-shelf powerplant with a mature global supply chain, the company avoids the lengthy and expensive development cycles associated with clean-sheet engine designs. This strategy aligns with current DoD initiatives aimed at fielding autonomous mass rapidly. The reliance on a turboprop rather than electric propulsion acknowledges the current physical limits of battery energy density for heavy, long-endurance Group 5 platforms.
Sources: Swarm Aero
Photo Credit: Swarm Aero
Defense & Military
France and Germany Abandon FCAS Manned Fighter Jet Program
Macron and Merz cancel the FCAS New Generation Fighter after Dassault and Airbus fail to resolve an industrial workshare dispute.
This article summarizes reporting by Reuters by Andreas Rinke and Tim Hepher, with additional reporting from Euractiv, The Guardian, Kyiv Independent, and Defense News.
France and Germany have abandoned the core manned fighter jet element of the €100 billion Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, following an unresolvable industrial dispute between Dassault Aviation and Airbus SE. The decision, finalized by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a summit in Montenegro and announced on June 8, 2026, marks a significant fracture in European defense procurement strategy.
Launched in 2017, the FCAS initiative was intended to produce a sixth-generation replacement for the French Dassault Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon operated by Germany and Spain by 2040. According to Reuters, the collapse of the central New Generation Fighter (NGF) component represents a major setback for efforts to integrate European military capacity amid heightened regional security demands.
Industrial deadlock between Dassault and Airbus
The cancellation stems from months of friction between the primary aerospace contractors. Reporting from The Guardian indicates that Dassault Aviation insisted on maintaining a definitive lead partner status to safeguard its intellectual property rights. Conversely, Airbus resisted an arrangement that would relegate the company to a subcontractor role.
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), noted the imbalance in expectations. According to the Kyiv Independent, the MEP stated that the French industry demanded a dominant leadership role while expecting Germany to simply tag along. She added that joint defense projects can only succeed on an equal footing.
Shifting strategic requirements and surviving components
Beyond corporate disagreements, the two nations have faced diverging military requirements. Defense News reported that Chancellor Merz recently questioned the strategic necessity of developing a manned sixth-generation fighter for the German Air Force.
Despite scrapping the manned aircraft, Paris and Berlin intend to salvage other elements of the program. An unnamed German government official told The Guardian that the nations will continue developing the integrated data network, known as the combat cloud, along with associated drone systems under the FCAS designation. The Élysée Palace maintained a diplomatic stance, with Euractiv quoting a statement affirming that Franco-German cooperation remains essential for both nations and their European allies in the defense sector.
AirPro News analysis
We view the retention of the FCAS name for the surviving drone and network components as a political face-saving measure that masks a profound industrial failure. The inability of Airbus and Dassault to reconcile their workshare demands highlights the persistent structural challenges of pan-European defense procurement, where national industrial interests frequently override collective military goals. As Douglas Barrie, Senior Fellow for Military Aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), told Reuters, the collapse of the core fighter program sends poor signals to both Washington and Moscow regarding European defense cohesion. Without a joint sixth-generation fighter, Germany and France may now be forced to pursue independent, and likely more expensive, procurement paths to replace their aging fleets by 2040.
Sources: Reuters
Photo Credit: Airbus
Defense & Military
NOAA Upgrades Hurricane Hunter Fleet with Viasat SATCOM Tech
NOAA partners with Viasat and Lockheed Martin to equip next-gen C-130J aircraft with advanced SATCOM for real-time weather data by 2030.
This article is based on an official press release from Viasat.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is modernizing its critical “Hurricane Hunter” fleet, and high-capacity satellite communications will be at the heart of the upgrade. According to an official press release, Viasat has been awarded a subcontract by Lockheed Martin to provide advanced SATCOM technology for NOAA’s next-generation C-130J Super Hercules Military-Aircraft.
These specialized aircraft serve as airborne laboratories, flying directly into severe weather systems to gather essential atmospheric and environmental data. To ensure this lifesaving information reaches forecasters without delay, the new fleet will feature Viasat’s Hybrid SATCOM Approach (HSA) platform.
The initial subcontract covers engineering support, terminal hardware, and structural integration data for two specially modified aircraft, with prime contract options for additional airframes in the future. The new Hurricane Hunters are projected to enter operational service by 2030, bringing unprecedented real-time data transmission capabilities to emergency management agencies.
Factory-Installed Connectivity and Open Architecture
The Shift to “Line-Fit” Integration
Historically, equipping specialized military and government aircraft with advanced communication antennas required costly, time-consuming, and structurally complex post-delivery retrofits. In a significant shift for the platform, this program marks the first formal “line-fit” integration of Viasat’s HSA technology directly onto the C-130J at the Lockheed Martin factory.
By installing the standardized baseplate architecture during the initial Manufacturing process, the program minimizes post-delivery downtime and reduces structural modification risks, ensuring the aircraft are ready for mission deployment much faster.
Future-Proofing the Fleet
While NOAA’s immediate operational needs will utilize Ku-band connectivity, the open-architecture design of the HSA platform ensures the aircraft are prepared for future technological shifts. The standardized baseplate can accommodate multiple antenna apertures and supports multi-network, multi-orbit connectivity.
This flexibility means NOAA will not be locked into a single network or frequency band over the aircraft’s anticipated 30-plus-year lifespan, allowing for seamless upgrades as new satellite constellations become available.
Enhancing NOAA’s Lifesaving Mission
Real-Time Data Transmission
The primary objective of the Hurricane Hunter mission is to collect and transmit high volumes of meteorological data to ground-based forecasters. Delays in data transmission can directly impact the accuracy of storm intensity predictions and subsequent evacuation planning.
The integration of robust, high-bandwidth SATCOM ensures that emergency management agencies receive the most accurate and up-to-date environmental data possible, directly supporting public safety initiatives.
“The selection of Viasat by Lockheed Martin for the NOAA C-130J program is a strong validation of our open-architecture approach to resilient airborne communications. By enabling a standardized, ARINC compliant integration, this program not only supports NOAA’s lifesaving weather research mission today but also helps futureproof the aircraft for evolving connectivity and aircraft mission communications requirements.”
AirPro News analysis
We view this Partnerships as a clear indicator of the aerospace industry’s broader pivot toward open-architecture systems. As satellite technologies evolve at a rapid pace, government agencies are increasingly prioritizing modularity over proprietary, closed-loop systems.
By opting for a factory-installed, multi-orbit capable baseplate, NOAA and Lockheed Martin are effectively hedging against technological obsolescence. This approach not only streamlines the initial build process but also drastically reduces the lifecycle costs associated with future communication upgrades, setting a new standard for specialized mission aircraft.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the new NOAA Hurricane Hunters enter service?
The next-generation C-130J aircraft are expected to become operational by 2030.
How many aircraft are included in the current contract?
The initial subcontract covers two specially modified C-130J aircraft, with options for additional planes in the future.
What is a “line-fit” installation?
A line-fit installation means the communication equipment is integrated directly into the aircraft during its initial assembly at the factory, rather than being retrofitted after the aircraft has been been Delivery.
Sources
Photo Credit: Viasat
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