Rockwell Collins
A former American aerospace and defense company specializing in avionics, aircraft information systems, cabin interiors, and related services.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Rockwell Collins was an American multinational aerospace and defense company headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Its principal activities included the design and manufacture of avionics, flight-control systems, communications equipment, navigation systems, simulation and training technologies, aircraft information-management systems, and in-flight entertainment. It served commercial aircraft manufacturers and operators, business and regional aviation customers, and military and government agencies. The company's corporate identity emerged from the Collins Radio Company, founded by Arthur A. Collins in Cedar Rapids in 1933. Collins Radio initially built shortwave radio equipment, broadcast transmitters, audio consoles, and communications systems. Its work expanded into military radio and navigation equipment during the Second World War, and later into flight-control instruments, satellite communications, and aerospace electronics. Collins equipment supported communications for the United States space program, including Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Skylab missions. Collins Radio encountered financial difficulties and was acquired by Rockwell International in 1973. The Collins business subsequently became part of Rockwell's aerospace and avionics activities. In 2001, Rockwell International spun off its avionics division as an independent company named Rockwell Collins, Inc. The newly independent company concentrated on high-value avionics and information systems rather than the consumer and amateur-radio markets associated with the earlier Collins Radio business. During the 2000s and 2010s, Rockwell Collins broadened its commercial aviation portfolio through acquisitions. It bought businesses in simulation, displays, communications, information technology, route planning, and in-flight entertainment. The acquisition of ARINC, completed in 2013, added aviation communications, information services, and airport and airline technology capabilities. The acquisition of B/E Aerospace in 2017 expanded the company into aircraft cabin interiors, including passenger seating, lighting, galleys, lavatories, oxygen systems, and related equipment. These moves made Rockwell Collins a more diversified aircraft-systems supplier rather than a narrowly focused avionics manufacturer. United Technologies agreed in 2017 to acquire Rockwell Collins for approximately $30 billion. The transaction was completed in November 2018. Rockwell Collins was subsequently integrated into United Technologies' aerospace activities and became part of Collins Aerospace. Following the merger of United Technologies and Raytheon, Collins Aerospace became an operating business of RTX Corporation, formerly Raytheon Technologies. Rockwell Collins therefore no longer operates as a separate company, although its technologies, facilities, product families, and organizational heritage continue within Collins Aerospace.
History
The company's history traces back to Collins Radio Company, established by Arthur A. Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1933. The early business produced shortwave communications equipment, broadcast transmitters, audio consoles, and field-announcer equipment. Collins Radio supplied commercial broadcasters, military users, scientists, and government organizations. It also provided communications equipment for Admiral Richard E. Byrd's South Pole expedition. During the Second World War, the company became an important supplier of military radio and navigation equipment. Its work included airborne transmitters such as the ART-13 and high-power communications systems. After the war, Collins broadened its activities into aviation electronics, flight-control instruments, satellite communications, and integrated radio systems. Its equipment supported communications between astronauts, spacecraft, and ground stations during the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs, and was also used in the Skylab program. Collins Radio entered amateur and commercial radio markets with receivers, transmitters, transceivers, and system components. Products such as the 75A receiver series, 51J general-coverage receiver, R-390 and R-390A military receivers, KWM transceivers, and S/Line equipment were recognized for engineering quality and system integration. The company also developed computerized message-switching systems and internal information technologies during the 1960s. However, heavy development spending and a business downturn contributed to financial difficulties. Rockwell International acquired Collins Radio in 1973. Under Rockwell, the Collins activities became increasingly focused on aerospace, defense, and avionics rather than consumer-facing radio products. Rockwell and its successor businesses expanded through acquisitions in simulation, displays, communications, in-flight entertainment, aviation information technology, and related fields. The avionics division was spun off in 2001 as the independent Rockwell Collins, Inc., retaining the Collins name while adopting a more concentrated aerospace-systems strategy. Rockwell Collins acquired or absorbed a series of specialist businesses during the 1990s and 2000s, including in-flight entertainment operations, simulation companies, display businesses, communications providers, and aviation information-technology firms. The company acquired Athena Technologies in 2008 and later acquired Air Routing International, Computing Technologies for Aviation, and other aviation-service businesses. It also acquired ARINC in 2013, a transaction that significantly expanded its commercial aviation communications and information-services portfolio. In 2017, Rockwell Collins acquired B/E Aerospace. B/E brought aircraft seating, food and beverage equipment, lighting, oxygen systems, galleys, lavatories, and other cabin-interior products. The transaction moved Rockwell Collins beyond avionics and into a broader aircraft-systems and cabin-interiors position. United Technologies announced its agreement to acquire Rockwell Collins in September 2017. The transaction closed in November 2018. Rockwell Collins was integrated into United Technologies' aerospace operations and became part of Collins Aerospace. After United Technologies combined with Raytheon, Collins Aerospace became part of RTX Corporation. The Rockwell Collins name consequently ceased to denote an independent operating company, although its legacy products, facilities, and businesses remain represented within Collins Aerospace.
- 2018
Acquired by United Technologies
[1]United Technologies completed its acquisition of Rockwell Collins in November, beginning the company's integration into Collins Aerospace.
- 2017
B/E Aerospace acquisition
[1]Rockwell Collins acquired B/E Aerospace, adding aircraft seating and cabin-interior systems to its portfolio.
- 2013
ARINC acquisition completed
[1]The company completed its acquisition of ARINC, strengthening its commercial aviation communications and information-services activities.
- 2008
Athena Technologies acquired
[1]Rockwell Collins acquired Athena Technologies, expanding its capabilities in flight-control and unmanned-aircraft technologies.
- 2001
Rockwell Collins becomes independent
[1]Rockwell International spun off its avionics division as Rockwell Collins, Inc.
- 1973
Acquired by Rockwell International
[1]After financial difficulties at Collins Radio, Rockwell International purchased the company.
- 1936
Early broadcast equipment production expands
[1]The company produced audio consoles, portable announcing equipment, and broadcast transmitters, building its commercial radio business.
- 1933
Collins Radio Company founded
[1]Arthur A. Collins founded Collins Radio Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, initially focusing on shortwave communications and broadcast equipment.
Products and positioning
A high-technology supplier of integrated avionics, aerospace information systems, defense electronics, and aircraft cabin equipment for original equipment manufacturers, airlines, aircraft operators, and government customers.
Broadcast communications · 1936
Collins broadcast transmitters and consoles
The early Collins Radio portfolio included AM and shortwave transmitters, audio consoles, and portable announcing equipment. These products established the company's engineering reputation before it became primarily an aerospace and defense supplier. Collins produced high-power military and broadcast transmitters during and after the Second World War.
Military communications · 1950
R-390 and R-390A receivers
The R-390 family consisted of high-performance HF receivers designed for military service. Modular construction supported field maintenance, while precise tuning and broad frequency coverage made the equipment suitable for demanding communications and intelligence applications. The R-390A became a widely used military receiver.
Amateur and communications radio · 1958
S/Line
Introduced in the late 1950s, S/Line was a coordinated family of receivers, transmitters, amplifiers, transverters, and accessories. Its integrated styling, mechanical filtering, frequency stability, and precise tuning made it a landmark Collins radio system. Production continued into the late 1970s.
Avionics
Military and commercial avionics
Rockwell Collins developed integrated flight decks, communication and navigation systems, flight-control electronics, displays, mission systems, and aircraft information-management technologies for commercial aircraft, business aviation, military platforms, and government customers.
Aircraft cabin systems · 1998
In-flight entertainment and connectivity systems
Through acquisitions including Hughes-Avicom's in-flight entertainment business and Sony Trans Com, Rockwell Collins became a significant supplier of passenger entertainment systems and related cabin technologies. These activities served airlines and aircraft manufacturers and complemented its avionics portfolio.
Aviation information technology · 2013
ARINC aviation information systems
ARINC added aviation communications, airline and airport information systems, and related operational services. The acquisition helped Rockwell Collins expand from aircraft equipment into infrastructure and information services used across commercial aviation.
Aircraft cabin interiors · 2017
B/E Aerospace cabin interiors
B/E Aerospace supplied aircraft seating, food and beverage preparation and storage equipment, cabin lighting, oxygen systems, modular galleys, and lavatories for commercial aircraft and business jets. Its integration expanded Rockwell Collins into cabin interiors and aftermarket cabin upgrades.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2017
Acquisition of B/E AerospaceM&ABackground
Rockwell Collins aimed to enter aircraft cabin interiors and diversify beyond avionics.
Action taken
The company acquired B/E Aerospace, adding seating, galleys, lavatories, lighting, oxygen, and other cabin products.
Aftermath
The acquisition created a broader aircraft-systems supplier with significant cabin-interiors capabilities and a large installed base for aftermarket opportunities.
Reported transaction value. US$8.3 billion (2017)
2017
Agreement to be acquired by United TechnologiesM&ABackground
United Technologies sought to expand its aerospace systems portfolio through a large-scale combination with Rockwell Collins.
Action taken
United Technologies agreed to acquire Rockwell Collins for approximately US$30 billion.
Aftermath
The transaction closed in November 2018, ending Rockwell Collins' status as an independent public company and leading to its integration into Collins Aerospace.
Announced acquisition value. Approximately US$30 billion (2017)
2013
Acquisition of ARINCM&ABackground
Rockwell Collins sought to increase its exposure to commercial aviation and complement its aircraft-equipment business with aviation information services.
Action taken
The company agreed to acquire ARINC and completed the transaction in December 2013.
Aftermath
ARINC broadened Rockwell Collins' activities in aviation communications, airline systems, airport technology, and information services.
Reported transaction value. US$1.4 billion (2013)
2001
Spin-off of the avionics divisionStrategyBackground
Rockwell International reorganized its businesses and separated the avionics division from the parent company.
Action taken
The avionics division was established as the independent Rockwell Collins, Inc., retaining the Collins name and focusing on aerospace and defense systems.
Aftermath
The new company operated as a focused avionics and information-systems supplier rather than as a broad consumer and industrial electronics business.
Recent events
Reported
Bashua family joins lawsuit against Boeing over 737 Max crash[2]
The family of Nigerian diplomat Abiodun Bashua joined litigation against Boeing in U.S. federal court. Lawyers for the heirs accused Boeing of negligence in the development of the 737 Max.
Reported
Zen Technologies and Rockwell Collins unveil rotary wing simulator[3]
Zen Technologies and Rockwell Collins unveiled a jointly developed next-generation rotary wing simulator at the Aero India trade expo. The simulator was developed following an MoU signed three months earlier.
Sources6 sources
- 1Rockwell Collinsen.wikipedia.org
- 2Bashua family joins lawsuit against Boeing over 737 Max crashtoronto.citynews.ca
- 3Zen Technologies 与 Rockwell Collins 发布旋翼模拟器business-standard.com
- 4Nigerian Diplomat's Family Sues Boeing Over 737 Max Crashigberetvnews.com
- 5Nigerian diplomat’s family sues Boeing over 737 Max crashcanadianmanufacturing.com
- 6Nigerian diplomat's family sues Boeing over 737 Max crash in Ethiopiabusiness-standard.com
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