# Collins Aerospace

Collins Aerospace is an American technology company that is one of the world's largest suppliers of aerospace and defense products. It was formed in 2018 from the merger of Rockwell Collins and UTC Aerospace Systems. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, it is a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

## History

On November 26, 2018, United Technologies announced the completion of its Rockwell Collins acquisition, after which it merged its newly acquired business with UTC Aerospace Systems to form Collins Aerospace. This acquisition controversially led to multiple class action lawsuits being filed against the company alleging that the executives deliberately misled its shareholders on the nature of the acquisition.
The new company reported $26 billion of combined sales in 2019 and is composed of 68,000 employees. In 2020 United Technologies merged with Raytheon Company to form Raytheon Technologies.
In July 2023, Collins agreed to sell its actuation and flight controls business unit to French multinational Safran in an all-cash deal worth $1.8 billion.
On 24 January 2024, Collins Aerospace, announced an investment of over £16 million at its Kilkeel site in Co Down for developing advanced passenger seating for wide-body and twin-aisle aircraft. This investment was announced by Joe Kennedy III, US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs.
In October 2024, Collins Aerospace, a business division of RTX (Raytheon Technologies), announced the first deliveries of its upgraded Venue cabin management system. This latest iteration of the Venue system incorporates advanced smart monitors and an enhanced graphical user interface, designed to improve in-flight entertainment and usability for both operators and passengers. The upgraded system emphasizes simplicity, allowing for a more intuitive user experience. Venue systems are commonly used in various aircraft to manage lighting, entertainment, and environmental settings within the cabin.

## Products

Collins Aerospace is engaged in designing, manufacturing and servicing systems and components for commercial aviation, business aviation, military and defense, helicopters, space, airports, and other industries.
Collins Aerospace has six strategic business units: Aerostructures, Avionics, Interiors, Missions Systems, Connected Aviation Solutions, and Power & Controls.

### Ithaco Space Systems, Inc.

Collins Aerospace was the owner of Ithaco Space Systems, Inc., formerly owned by Goodrich Company and its successor UTC Aerospace Systems. In September 2020, Raytheon Technologies Corp. (NYSE: RTX) completes the sale of its electro-optics technology business headquartered in Danbury, Connecticut to AMERGINT Technologies Holdings, Inc. (ATH). The business is renamed Danbury Mission Technologies (Danbury). Andreas Nonnenmacher, President of Danbury Mission Technologies, concurrently assumes responsibilities as President of ATH. The business is reported to have 530 employees at the time of its acquisition.
In addition to over 100 U.S. satellites, equipment made by Ithaco has flown on Japanese, Canadian, French, German, Spanish, Swedish, and Argentinean spacecraft. Ithaco became notable for having manufactured the reaction wheels of the Kepler spacecraft, the Hayabusa spacecraft, the Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) satellite, and the Dawn spacecraft, which developed problems or even failed.

### FlightAware

On August 20, 2021, Collins Aerospace announced the acquisition of FlightAware for an undisclosed amount. FlightAware is a technology company that provides real-time, historical, and predictive flight data and flight-tracking products.