Collins Ramping Up Radar Build with Florida Expansion

Collins Aerospace is investing $26.5 million to expand its facility in Largo, Florida, as it ramps up production of its commercial aviation radars to meet the FAA’s accelerated schedule. The expansion, which is estimated to generate more than 100 additional jobs across its engineering and factory operations at the location, will also provide additional capacity for the RTX unit’s multi-domain security products for defense customers.

“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. “RTX has made significant investments in its people and operations across Florida, and we value our partnership with the state as we continue to grow.”  

Parent company RTX has several locations throughout Florida that collectively employ more than 7,000 people. The Collins Largo facility in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area produces radars, along with satellite and secure communications components. This includes production of the Condor Mk3 cooperative surveillance radar and ASR-XM non-cooperative radar for the FAA’s Radar System Replacement Program. Announced early this year, the FAA awarded a contract to Collins and Indra to replace up to 612 radars by June 2028. RTX valued the Collins portion of the contract at $438 million.

Collins anticipates the new radar production facility will be fully operational by year-end.