Air Surveillance Radar
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Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, has secured a $438 million contract from the Federal Aviation Administration to modernize the National Airspace System through the Radar System Replacement program.
The initiative represents a central component of the Department of Transportation’s Brand New Air Traffic Control System. By deploying next-generation cooperative and non-cooperative radar systems, the program aims to provide air traffic controllers with more secure and reliable data. This transition is designed to simplify nationwide operations by replacing various legacy systems with a unified, adaptable architecture that reduces long-term costs.
Nate Boelkins, President of Avionics at Collins Aerospace, commented, “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to the FAA for more than 70 years, Collins is ready to rapidly deploy next-generation radar systems that replace outdated technology with a single, modern and interoperable solution.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, 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.”
The technology suite includes the Condor Mk3 and the ASR-XM. The Condor Mk3 functions as a cooperative surveillance radar that communicates directly with aircraft transponders, while the ASR-XM acts as a non-cooperative radar, detecting aircraft by utilizing reflected signals. Both systems have already received qualification for FAA surveillance requirements through previous certification activities at test sites.
RTX currently maintains a significant footprint in domestic aviation infrastructure, with more than 550 radar systems already operational within the national airspace. The new Condor Mk3 and ASR-XM systems are specifically engineered to provide precise aircraft tracking, with particular effectiveness at lower altitudes, ensuring the system is prepared for evolving airspace demands.
