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Collins Aerospace wins $438M FAA contract to modernize U.S. air traffic radar
The Cedar Rapids-based company will supply next-generation surveillance radar as part of federal air traffic control overhaul
Jan. 7, 2026 5:13 pm, Updated: Jan. 8, 2026 8:50 am
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Collins Aerospace has been awarded a $438 million contract by the Federal Aviation Administration to provide next-generation surveillance radar systems as part of the agency’s Radar System Replacement program, officials announced this week.
The contract supports modernization of the National Airspace System as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s effort to modernize air traffic control systems.
Collins will deliver both cooperative and non-cooperative radar systems designed to simplify operations and provide air traffic controllers with reliable and secure information to support operations, by replacing “outdated technology with a single, modern and interoperable solution," Nate Boelkins, president of avionics at Collins Aerospace, said in a news release.
"These systems integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure, enhance safety and efficiency for air traffic controllers, reduce long-term costs and ensure the system is prepared for the future of the National Airspace,“ Boelkins said in a statement.
The systems include the Condor Mk3, which communicates directly with aircraft transponders, and the ASR-XM, which detects aircraft using reflected signals. Both have previously met FAA surveillance requirements through test-site certification.
More than 550 RTX radar systems are already operating in the national airspace, providing a foundation for the FAA’s large-scale modernization effort, according to the company.
Collins Aerospace is part of RTX, a global aerospace and defense company that also includes Pratt & Whitney and Raytheon. The North Carolina-based Collins has its avionics and mission system operations in Cedar Rapids and employs about 80,000 people worldwide, with approximately 9,000 based in Iowa. Roughly 7,000 of those Iowa-based positions are located in or around Cedar Rapids.
In 2024, Collins Aerospace reported roughly $28.28 billion in adjusted sales and $4.496 billion in adjusted operating profit. Both were year-over-year increases as compared with 2023.
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