Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of Arlington, Virginia-based RTX, has had a presence in Florida for more than four decades. Last week, the aviation and technology company announced that it will expand its Largo facility.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Organization leaders plan to invest $26.5 million.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re expanding in Florida because our Largo site has been a core hub for RTX for more than two decades, including 23 years of radar production,\u201d said Nicole White, Collins Aerospace vice president and general manager of connected aviation. \u201cThe deep expertise already on-site makes it a natural fit for additional growth.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Largo property, she added, is used to create advanced radar systems and satellite and secure communications components. Additionally, the facility provides testing capabilities for both commercial and military customers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Collins Aerospace executives plan to create 100 new high-skill jobs including factory operations and engineering positions. Currently, the organization employs over 7,000 people in eight locations in Florida alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Largo site\u2019s \u201cnew radar production area\u201d is expected to become fully operational later this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBy consolidating more of our radar manufacturing, integration and testing activities under one roof,\u201d White said, \u201cwe can streamline operations, shorten production schedules and accelerate delivery timelines for our customers.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
In January, the company was awarded a $438 million contract with the Federal Aviation Administration to perform work on its Radar System Replacement Program. This initiative is a key part of modernizing the U.S. National Airspace System. As part of the deal, Collins Aerospace will create next-generation radar systems. \u00a0<\/p>\n
The expanded Largo facility will be used to increase production. More than 60% of the radars for the contract will be built in Florida, she explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to a prepared statement, products that will be developed at the Largo location include the Condor Mk3, \u201ca cooperative surveillance radar capable of communicating directly with aircraft transponders,\u201d and the ASR-XM, \u201ca non-cooperative radar that detects aircraft using reflected signals.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCollins Aerospace\u2019s expansion in Largo not only bolsters the growing Tampa Bay area military and defense cluster, but it also strengthens Florida\u2019s position as a leader in aviation manufacturing and national security,\u201d said Florida\u2019s Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly in a prepared statement. \u201cFlorida continues to attract leading aerospace manufacturers that are advancing cutting-edge aviation and defense technologies while creating high-skill jobs for Floridians.\u201d<\/p>\n
Collins Aerospace operates more than 250 sites globally and employees over 80,000 people. The company was formed in 2018 after a merger between Rockwell Collins and UTC Aerospace Systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cRTX and Collins Aerospace have a long and valued history in Pinellas County,\u201d White added. \u201cInvesting here allows us to build on that strong foundation and strengthen our close partnership with the local community and the state of Florida. This expansion will contribute directly to the region\u2019s economic growth.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n