Collins Aerospace
A global aerospace and defense systems supplier serving commercial, business, military and space markets.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Collins Aerospace is a major aerospace and defense technology business headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It operates as one of the principal businesses of RTX Corporation, alongside Pratt & Whitney and Raytheon. The Collins name was created in 2018 when United Technologies Corporation combined its UTC Aerospace Systems business with Rockwell Collins, which UTC had acquired in the same year. The resulting organization brought together Rockwell Collins's avionics, cabin, information-management and communications activities with UTC Aerospace Systems' aerospace structures, actuation, landing systems, interiors, sensors and space-related capabilities. The business supplies equipment and integrated systems to aircraft manufacturers, airlines, leasing companies, defense agencies, armed forces and space customers. Its portfolio spans commercial and military avionics, flight controls, landing gear, actuation, aircraft interiors, cabin management, communications, navigation, surveillance, mission systems, electronic warfare, space systems, power and thermal management, and aftermarket services. Collins products are commonly sold either directly to original equipment manufacturers for installation on new aircraft or through aftermarket channels for maintenance, repair, overhaul and fleet upgrades. The company has substantial exposure to both civil aviation and defense. In commercial aviation, it provides systems and interiors for air transport, regional, business and general aviation aircraft, including flight-deck electronics, communication and navigation equipment, passenger connectivity, seats, galleys, lavatories, lighting, oxygen systems, evacuation equipment and integrated cabin technologies. In defense, its offerings include secure communications, sensors, navigation, electronic warfare, mission computers, tactical displays, propulsion-related systems, landing systems and aircraft survivability equipment. Its space activities include environmental-control, life-support, power, thermal and other systems used on spacecraft and space platforms. Collins Aerospace is also an important aftermarket business. Its installed base generates recurring demand for spares, repairs, engineering support, upgrades, technical publications and fleet-management services. The combination of original-equipment programs and long-lived service relationships gives the business exposure across the aircraft life cycle, although it also leaves it sensitive to commercial-aircraft production rates, airline financial health, defense budgets, supply-chain constraints and certification requirements. The organization traces much of its heritage to Rockwell Collins, Collins Radio and the former UTC aerospace businesses rather than to a single founder. Collins Radio was established in 1933 by Arthur A. Collins and became known for communications and avionics. Rockwell Collins was later formed as a standalone public company in 2001 after Rockwell International separated its avionics and communications operations. UTC Aerospace Systems was assembled through United Technologies' ownership and acquisition of aerospace businesses, including Hamilton Sundstrand and Goodrich. These predecessor histories remain important to the brand's technology base and product portfolio. Since the 2020 merger that created Raytheon Technologies, renamed RTX in 2023, Collins Aerospace has functioned as a business segment within the larger aerospace and defense group. Its current positioning emphasizes integrated, digitally connected and more sustainable aerospace systems, including technologies intended to reduce aircraft weight, fuel use, emissions and maintenance burden. The company serves customers globally through manufacturing, engineering, support and service operations, but detailed financial reporting is generally provided at the RTX segment level rather than as a separately listed Collins company.
History
Collins Aerospace was established in 2018 after United Technologies acquired Rockwell Collins and combined it with UTC Aerospace Systems. The brand brought together two large aerospace technology portfolios. Rockwell Collins descended from Collins Radio, founded in 1933 by Arthur A. Collins, and developed expertise in radio communications, avionics, flight-deck systems, cabin electronics and information management. After Rockwell International separated its avionics and communications operations, Rockwell Collins became an independent public company in 2001. It expanded through internal development and acquisitions before becoming a major supplier to commercial and military aircraft manufacturers. UTC Aerospace Systems represented the aerospace systems activities of United Technologies. Its heritage included Hamilton Sundstrand, which supplied aircraft systems and space hardware, and Goodrich, whose capabilities included landing gear, wheels and brakes, actuation, sensors, interiors and other aircraft equipment. United Technologies completed the purchase of Goodrich in 2012 and subsequently organized its aerospace operations under UTC Aerospace Systems. The combination with Rockwell Collins therefore joined complementary capabilities in avionics, aircraft systems, interiors, communications, structures and services. UTC announced the acquisition of Rockwell Collins in 2017 and completed it in November 2018. The transaction was followed by the launch of Collins Aerospace as the name for the combined aerospace systems business. The new company served both commercial and defense customers and retained a broad installed base across air transport, business aviation, military aircraft and space programs. Its business model included original equipment supplied for new aircraft as well as aftermarket support, repair, upgrades and replacement parts. In 2020, United Technologies merged with Raytheon Company to form Raytheon Technologies, later renamed RTX. Collins Aerospace became one of RTX's three principal businesses. The new group placed Collins alongside Pratt & Whitney, an aircraft-engine manufacturer, and Raytheon, a defense and missile-systems business. Collins continued to operate as a distinct aerospace systems organization while benefiting from the scale, procurement resources and technology relationships of the parent group. The company has since focused on connected aircraft systems, advanced avionics, cabin modernization, aircraft electrification, improved thermal and power management, more efficient flight controls and technologies intended to support lower-emissions aviation. It also continues to supply defense and space programs, where long development cycles, security requirements and government procurement processes shape demand. The business's aftermarket operations remain strategically important because aircraft systems typically require support and replacement over decades. Collins Aerospace is not a separately listed corporation. Its parent, RTX Corporation, is publicly traded, while Collins's operating and financial performance is reported through RTX's segment disclosures. The brand's historical identity consequently reflects both its Rockwell Collins lineage and the older UTC aerospace businesses that formed its technical base.
- 2023
Parent company adopts the RTX name
[4]Raytheon Technologies changed its corporate name to RTX Corporation, with Collins Aerospace continuing as a core business.
- 2020
Raytheon Technologies is formed
[3]The United Technologies–Raytheon merger made Collins Aerospace a principal business of the newly formed aerospace and defense group.
- 2018
Collins Aerospace is created
[2]United Technologies completed its Rockwell Collins acquisition and combined the business with UTC Aerospace Systems under the Collins Aerospace name.
- 2012
United Technologies completes Goodrich acquisition
[6]The acquisition expanded United Technologies' aerospace systems portfolio and later contributed significant capabilities to UTC Aerospace Systems.
- 2001
Rockwell Collins becomes independent
[1]Rockwell International separated its avionics and communications operations, creating the independent Rockwell Collins company.
- 1933
Collins Radio is founded
[1]Arthur A. Collins founded Collins Radio, establishing the communications and avionics heritage later associated with Rockwell Collins and Collins Aerospace.
Products and positioning
A diversified, high-value aerospace systems and services supplier with broad original-equipment and aftermarket capabilities across commercial aviation, defense and space.
Integrated avionics
Pro Line Fusion
Pro Line Fusion is Collins Aerospace's integrated avionics family for business and special-mission aircraft. It combines flight displays, flight management, communications, navigation, surveillance and aircraft-interface functions in a common architecture. The system is designed to support situational awareness, simplified pilot workload and continuing software and hardware upgrades across supported aircraft platforms.
Aircraft interiors
Aircraft interiors and cabin systems
The interiors portfolio includes passenger and crew seating, galleys, lavatories, lighting, oxygen equipment, evacuation systems, cabin management, passenger service units and related cabin technologies. Collins supplies both line-fit equipment for new aircraft and replacement or refurbishment products for airlines and other operators seeking to modernize existing cabins.
Aircraft systems
Flight-control and actuation systems
Collins develops flight-control computers, actuation equipment and related aircraft-control technologies for commercial, business, military and rotorcraft applications. These systems translate pilot or automated commands into controlled movement of aerodynamic surfaces and other mechanisms, with emphasis on reliability, weight, maintainability and integration with modern aircraft architectures.
Landing gear, wheels and brakes
Landing systems
The landing-systems business supplies landing gear, wheels, brakes, brake-control systems and associated equipment. Its products support aircraft manufacturers and operators across civil and military platforms, while its aftermarket organization provides overhaul, repair, replacement and technical support for equipment installed on aircraft over long operating lives.
Defense electronics
Military mission and communications systems
Collins supplies secure communications, navigation, mission computers, displays, sensors, electronic warfare and networked mission equipment for defense customers. These products are configured for aircraft and other military platforms and are designed for operation in contested, communications-constrained or otherwise demanding environments.
Space equipment
Space systems
The space portfolio includes environmental-control and life-support equipment, power and thermal-management systems, fluid management, sensors and other spacecraft hardware. The business draws on predecessor capabilities developed for human spaceflight, launch systems, satellites and other space platforms.
Brand decisions
2023
RTX adopts a unified corporate identityStrategyBackground
Raytheon Technologies reviewed its corporate identity after the 2020 merger and moved to a shorter RTX name.
Action taken
The parent company changed its legal name to RTX Corporation while maintaining Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney and Raytheon as business identities.
Aftermath
Collins Aerospace continued as a distinct operating brand within RTX rather than becoming the parent company's name.
2020
United Technologies and Raytheon mergeM&ABackground
The merger combined United Technologies' aerospace businesses with Raytheon's defense and missile activities.
Action taken
The transaction created Raytheon Technologies, with Collins Aerospace operating as one of its principal businesses.
Aftermath
Collins retained its own business identity while becoming part of a larger aerospace and defense portfolio.
2017
United Technologies agrees to acquire Rockwell CollinsM&ABackground
United Technologies sought to expand its aerospace systems activities by acquiring Rockwell Collins, a leading avionics, communications and cabin-systems supplier.
Action taken
The companies announced a transaction that was completed in November 2018, after which Rockwell Collins was combined with UTC Aerospace Systems.
Aftermath
The combined organization was branded Collins Aerospace and became a broad supplier across avionics, interiors, aircraft systems, defense and space.
Recent events
Reported
Collins Aerospace announces acquisition of Dutch Thermoplastic Components[8]
Collins Aerospace announced its acquisition of Dutch Thermoplastic Components (DTC). The article says the acquisition will expand Collins's use of advanced thermoplastics to make aircraft lighter and more fuel-efficient.
Reported
Collins completes FlightAware acquisition[9]
Collins Aerospace completed its acquisition of FlightAware, which became part of Collins' newly formed Connected Aviation Solutions business unit.
Reported
Collins Aerospace announces acquisition of Dutch Thermoplastic Components[10]
Collins Aerospace announced the acquisition of Dutch Thermoplastic Components, which develops and fabricates structural thermoplastic composite parts. The article says the acquisition will expand Collins' use of advanced thermoplastics in aircraft manufacturing.
Reported
IATA and Collins Aerospace partner on Travel Pass integration[11]
IATA joined forces with Collins Aerospace to enhance its Travel Pass digital health platform. Under the partnership, Collins Aerospace will use its TransAction solution to integrate Travel Pass into airlines’ passenger management systems.
Reported
Collins Aerospace unveils Perigon flight computer[12]
Collins Aerospace unveiled Perigon, a new flight control and vehicle management computer designed to support autonomous flight.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Collins Aerospace introduces Electronic Cabin Bag solution[13]
Collins Aerospace introduced its Electronic Cabin Bag (eCB) solution, which digitizes and automates cabin crew tasks and enables passengers to use personal electronic devices for inflight shopping and service requests. The solution was described as available to airlines globally.
Collins Aerospace sponsors Hannaford Career Center training initiative[14]
Collins Aerospace provided the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center and its maker-space, The Makery, $5,000 to support its high-tech manufacturing training programs; some funds were used to purchase a laser cutter, with the remainder planned for additional equipment.
Reported
Raytheon businesses and MetTel announce FAA network alliance[15]
Raytheon Intelligence & Space and Collins Aerospace announced a strategic alliance with MetTel in support of the FAA Enterprise Network Services opportunity.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Collins Aerospace reduces commercial workforce[16]
Collins Aerospace recently reduced its commercial headcount by 1,500 workers and 500 contractors, according to Raytheon Technologies CFO Toby O'Brien.
Reported
Raytheon Technologies announces plans to cut more than 15,000 jobs[17]
Raytheon Technologies CEO Greg Hayes said the company plans to eliminate more than 15,000 jobs this year at its corporate offices, Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace, nearly double the total initially announced in July.
Sources20 sources
- 1Collins Aerospace: About Uscollinsaerospace.com
- 2UTC completes acquisition of Rockwell Collinsutc.com
- 3Raytheon Technologies completes merger of United Technologies and Raytheon Companyrtx.com
- 4RTX announces completion of name changertx.com
- 5RTX leadershiprtx.com
- 6United Technologies completes Goodrich acquisitionutc.com
- 7United Technologies agrees to acquire Rockwell Collinsutc.com
- 8柯林斯航空宣布收购Dutch Thermoplastic Componentsiconnect007.com
- 9Collins完成对FlightAware的收购corporatejetinvestor.com
- 10Collins Aerospace宣布收购Dutch Thermoplastic Componentscompositesworld.com
- 11IATA与柯林斯航空航天合作整合Travel Passairport-technology.com
- 12柯林斯航空航天推出 Perigon 飞行电脑shephardmedia.com
- 13Collins Aerospace推出Electronic Cabin Bag解决方案iconnect007.com
- 14Collins Aerospace赞助Hannaford Career Center培训项目vermontbiz.com
- 15雷神旗下业务与MetTel宣布合作支持美国联邦航空局网络项目lightreading.com
- 16柯林斯航空减少商业业务员工人数desmoinesregister.com
- 17雷神技术公司宣布计划裁减逾1.5万个职位news4jax.com
- 18BAE Systems 完成收购军事 GPS 业务c4isrnet.com
- 19Collins Aerospace 在得克萨斯州启用着陆系统设施airport-technology.com
- 20疫情不景氣 雷神公司裁員2萬人 - 軍事chinatimes.com
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