RTX Seeks Larger Role in FAA’s $12.5B ATC Overhaul

Company will reportedly pitch its common automation platform to consolidate existing ATC systems.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, March 04, 2026 at 02:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

RTX is responsible for maintaining and upgrading the FAA’s Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) platform. [Credit: RTX]

Key Takeaways:

RTX's Collins Aerospace is actively pitching its AutoTrac platform to the FAA for the Common Automation Platform (CAP) of the $12.5 billion "Brand New Air Traffic Control System" (BNATCS) initiative.
The CAP aims to unify fragmented air traffic control data from existing ERAM and STARS systems into a single digital interface, designed to reduce controller workload and improve airspace visibility.
Collins Aerospace's AutoTrac is a modular, scalable system that integrates various flight data sources to automate air traffic operations and can be upgraded to manage future uncrewed operations.
RTX is a strong contender for the CAP contract, having already secured a $438 million deal for radar replacement and serving as the primary contractor for the FAA's existing STARS system.

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RTX, which in January received a $438 million contract to help the FAA replace hundreds of antiquated radar systems, is reportedly vying for an even larger chunk of the $12.5 billion Congress has allocated for the agency’s Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) effort.

On Tuesday at RTX facilities in Washington, Collins Aerospace officials demonstrated a system designed to unify fragmented ATC data sources, which the company, per FlightGlobal, will pitch to the FAA as the BNATCS common automation platform (CAP).