FAA to Replace Aging Network of Ground-Based Radars

January 8, 2026

Indra is one of two companies awarded a new contract to replace up to 612 surveillance radars currently in use in the National Airspace System (NAS). The company will manufacture replacement radars at its new facility in the Kansas City area. (Image: Indra)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued separate contract awards to RTX subsidiary Collins Aerospace and Indra for its "Radar System Replacement" program.

The Collins Aerospace and Indra contracts will contribute to replacing up to 612 radars by June 2028 with modern, commercially available surveillance radars. Replacements are scheduled to begin this quarter and will proceed on a rolling basis, prioritizing high-traffic areas.

“Our radar network is outdated and long overdue for replacement. Many of the units have exceeded their intended service life, making them increasingly expensive to maintain and difficult to support,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “We are buying radar systems that will bring production back to the U.S. and provide a vital surveillance backbone to the National Airspace System.”

Collins Aerospace

The FAA issued a $438 million contract award to Collins Aerospace. Under the contract, Collins will deliver next-generation cooperative and non-cooperative radar systems, giving air traffic controllers reliable and secure information to support operations. These new radars will simplify operations by replacing multiple legacy systems with a unified, cost-effective and adaptable architecture, according to Collins.

"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to the FAA for more than 70 years, Collins is ready to rapidly deploy next-generation radar systems that replace outdated technology with a single, modern and interoperable solution," said Nate Boelkins, President of Avionics at Collins Aerospace. "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."

Systems will include 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 are qualified to meet FAA surveillance requirements through prior test-site certification activities.

The Condor Mk3, Collins Aerospace’s cooperative surveillance radar capable of communicating directly with aircraft transponders. (Image: Collins Aerospace)

Indra

Indra Group USA received a $342 million contract from the FAA to manufacture radars at its new manufacturing facility located in Kansas City.

Technology transfer is a central pillar of Indra’s U.S. business model. For the Radar System Replacement, Indra will replicate the approach it has already successfully implemented with its NEXCOM v3 air-ground communications radios, transferring advanced technology, manufacturing processes, and product expertise to the United States to support long-term domestic production and sustainment.

Indra’s industrial proposal includes a phased manufacturing approach aligned with FAA deployment timelines, which will be performed in our factories in the Kansas City area and supported by global Indra Group, thus significantly expanding Indra’s manufacturing capabilities.

In December, the FAA announced Peraton as the Prime Integrator to oversee construction of the new air traffic control system they’re developing. The company will be working in coordination with RTX and Indra.