Regulations & Safety
RTX Wins $438M FAA Contract for Next-Gen Radar Deployment
Collins Aerospace awarded $438M FAA contract to deploy next-generation surveillance radars, modernizing US air traffic control infrastructure.
This article is based on an official press release from RTX and additional background data regarding FAA modernization initiatives.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, a contract valued at $438 million to deploy next-generation surveillance radars across the United States. Announced on January 5, 2026, this agreement marks a significant step in the “Brand New Air Traffic Control System” initiative, a sweeping modernization effort funded by the “One Big Beautiful Bill” legislation signed in mid-2025.
Under the terms of the agreement, Collins Aerospace will provide “ready-now” radar technologies designed to replace aging infrastructure, some of which dates back to the 1980s. The project aims to enhance Safety, reduce operational complexity, and increase efficiency for all airspace users. Installations are scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2026, contributing to a broader agency goal of replacing up to 612 radars by June 2028.
According to the official announcement, the contract focuses on a “rip-and-replace” strategy to consolidate fragmented legacy systems into a unified, digital architecture. This move addresses long-standing issues with maintenance costs and the scarcity of spare parts for older units like the ASR-9 and ASR-8 systems.
The modernization push is financially underpinned by the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (H.R. 1), which allocated $12.5 billion specifically for immediate air traffic control (ATC) improvements. The FAA has designated Peraton as the “Prime Integrator” to oversee the rollout, ensuring coordination between vendors such as RTX and Indra Sistemas.
In a statement regarding the award, Nate Boelkins, President of Avionics at Collins Aerospace, emphasized the company’s long-standing relationship with the agency:
“As a trusted supplier to the FAA for more than 70 years, Collins is ready to rapidly deploy next-generation radar systems that replace outdated technology with a single, modern and interoperable solution. These systems integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure… and ensure the system is prepared for the future of the National Airspace.”
The initiative is not merely technical but also carries strategic economic goals. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford highlighted the domestic production aspect of the deal, noting that the agency is “buying radar systems that will bring production back to the U.S. and provide a vital surveillance backbone to the National Airspace System.”
The contract tasks Collins Aerospace with deploying two primary types of radar systems, cooperative and non-cooperative sensors. These systems utilize modular architectures to replace multiple legacy configurations. The Condor Mk3 serves as a Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR). It operates by “cooperating” with aircraft, interrogating their transponders to acquire altitude, identity, and position data. Key features include:
The ASR-XM is a primary surveillance radar designed to detect aircraft via reflected radio signals (“skin paint”). This capability is critical for tracking aircraft without active transponders, such as certain general aviation planes, or in scenarios involving transponder failure. The system is optimized for precision tracking at lower altitudes where ground clutter typically interferes with signal clarity.
The urgency of this deployment is driven by the age of the current infrastructure. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy described the state of the existing network as “unacceptable,” noting that most radars currently in use date back to the 1980s.
“Thanks to President Trump and the One Big Beautiful Bill, we’ll begin replacing this outdated technology to boost safety and enable the next big wave of innovation in our skies.”
Sean P. Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary
By moving toward commercially available, off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions like the ASR-XM and Condor Mk3, the FAA aims to avoid the delays associated with unproven custom technologies that hampered previous modernization efforts.
The selection of “ready-now” technology signals a pivotal shift in FAA procurement strategy. Previous initiatives, such as early phases of NextGen, often faced delays due to the development of bespoke technologies. By leveraging systems that have already passed FAA test-site certification, such as the Condor Mk3, the agency appears prioritized on speed of deployment and risk reduction. Furthermore, the explicit mention of bringing production back to the U.S. aligns the technical upgrade with the broader political mandates of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” suggesting that future contracts may similarly weigh domestic manufacturing capabilities alongside technical merit.
Sources: RTX Press Release, FAA Announcements & Legislative Records (H.R. 1)
RTX Secures $438 Million FAA Contract for Next-Gen Radar-Systems Deployment
Modernizing the National Airspace System
Technical Specifications: Condor Mk3 and ASR-XM
Condor Mk3 (Cooperative Surveillance)
ASR-XM (Non-Cooperative Surveillance)
Leadership Commentary and Political Context
AirPro News Analysis
Sources
Photo Credit: RTX