RTX Invests Millions in New ATC Radars

Funding will accelerate the production of ground-based aviation surveillance systems, though more funding could be required.

Jack Daleo

Monday, May 11, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

RTX’s Collins Aerospace is one of two contractors the FAA picked in January to replace hundreds of antiquated commercial aviation radars. [Credit: Collins Aerospace]

Key Takeaways:

RTX is investing $26.5 million to expand its Florida facility for producing upgraded commercial aviation radars, part of a $438 million FAA contract awarded to its subsidiary Collins Aerospace to replace over 600 outdated radars nationwide by 2028.
These new Condor Mk3 and ASM-XR radars will significantly enhance air traffic control by offering improved situational awareness, reliability, aircraft tracking, resilience to disruptions, and reduced maintenance, consolidating 14 different legacy radar configurations.
The radar modernization is a foundational component of the FAA's broader, multi-billion dollar Brand New ATC System project, driven by past failures, which aims to overhaul communications, automation systems, and other critical infrastructure across thousands of facilities.
RTX is also actively pursuing a larger role in the FAA's modernization, pitching its AutoTrac system for a common automation platform, with the overall effort requiring substantial additional funding beyond the initial $12.5 billion allocated.

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RTX on Monday said it will put millions of dollars toward the production of upgraded commercial aviation radars, which are being installed at airports nationwide as part of the FAA’s Brand New Air Traffic Control (ATC) System project.

A $26.5 million investment will expand the company’s Largo, Florida, facility to add a radar production area by late 2026. The systems are produced by RTX subsidiary Collins Aerospace, which in January won a $438 million FAA contract.