Collins Aerospace is investing millions of dollars in its Largo, Florida facility, in part to help support the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) efforts to modernize the US National Airspace System.
On May 11, 2025, Collins Aerospace’s owner RTX announced that $26.5 million would be used to accelerate the production of its commercial aviation radars and multi-domain defense security solutions.
This will include production of the Condor Mk3, a cooperative surveillance radar capable of communicating directly with aircraft transponders, and the ASR-XM, a non-cooperative radar that detects aircraft using reflected signals.
Both radar systems form part of the FAA’s Radar System Replacement Program, which in turn is a cornerstone of the National Airspace System evolution.
“As global airspace becomes more congested and contested, customers need secure, interoperable systems for seamless coordination. This expansion strengthens our ability to deliver critical capabilities that keep airline passengers safe and military operators mission-ready, faster,” said Nate Boelkins, President of Avionics at Collins Aerospace.
The investment will create over 100 new highly skilled jobs across engineering and factory operations disciplines. Around 7,000 RTX staff members work across eight locations throughout Florida.
Collins Aerospace’s Largo facility supports the production of radars, satellite and secure communications components, and testing for commercial and military customers.
“As a long-standing presence in Florida’s aerospace and aviation sector, Collins Aerospace’s expansion in Largo not only bolsters the growing Tampa Bay-area military and defense cluster, but it also strengthens Florida’s position as a leader in aviation manufacturing and national security,” said Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly.
The new radar production area is expected to become fully operational by late 2026.
source
