Rohde & Schwarz USA Awarded $4.9 Billion Contract for FAA Voice Communications System Modernization
Rohde & Schwarz USA has been awarded a contract worth up to $4.9 billion by the FAA to modernize voice communication infrastructure at airports and air traffic control facilities with its proven "CERTIUM Voice Communications System." This contract aims to ensure the safety and reliability of the U.S. National Airspace System and modernize its infrastructure.
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 19:10
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 10:31
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Next-generation voice communication systems to be manufactured in Maryland.
Dulles Airport Control Tower, Washington D.C.
Rohde & Schwarz, a global leader in critical infrastructure solutions, announced today that it has been awarded a contract worth up to $4.9 billion by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to replace existing analog voice communication infrastructure at airports and air traffic control facilities with its proven "CERTIUM Voice Communications System." These systems will be manufactured at Rohde & Schwarz USA's newly established production facility in Frederick, Maryland, and its expanded facility in Coppell, Texas.
The introduction of new digital voice switches is a key pillar of the FAA's "Brand-New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS)" initiative, which aims to modernize infrastructure while ensuring the safety and reliability of air traffic control (ATC) operations within the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS). Rohde & Schwarz USA is deploying its "CERTIUM Voice Communications System (VCS)," which has a proven track record and complies with the latest ED-137 standard, across the United States. As the first modern Voice over IP (VoIP)-enabled VCS under this contract, the initial system was installed and commissioned at Allegheny County Airport (AGC) near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in September 2025. Since then, successful deployments have been completed at airports nationwide, including Beaumont (Texas), Wilmington (Delaware), Lewiston (Idaho), and Bellingham (Washington).
Frank Dunn, President and CEO of Rohde & Schwarz USA, stated: "We are proud to partner with the FAA on this critical project to modernize air traffic control communication systems in U.S. airspace. It is essential to leverage this opportunity to rebuild U.S. expertise in ATC voice communication systems. This program will create over 200 new highly skilled jobs, bringing our total workforce to over 1,000 employees. Furthermore, we are investing in and expanding new facilities to strengthen our domestic manufacturing capabilities."
Rohde & Schwarz USA has been a long-standing partner to the U.S. government and critical infrastructure agencies, supporting TSA (Transportation Security Administration) body screening, Coast Guard search and rescue operations, and building resilient communication environments for the U.S. Navy. The company has multiple locations across the U.S., combining world-class technical expertise backed by a global organization with excellent U.S.-based engineering.
The new manufacturing facility in Frederick, Maryland, which began operations in early 2026, symbolizes Rohde & Schwarz USA's $40 million investment to design, develop, and manufacture CERTIUM VCS domestically, establishing a long-term domestic production and support system. Additionally, the expansion of existing manufacturing and system integration areas in Coppell, Texas, enhances production capacity and flexibility to support this critical BNATCS initiative.
[About Rohde & Schwarz Japan K.K.]
Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG. (hereinafter "Rohde & Schwarz") was founded in 1933 in Munich, Germany, by Dr. Lothar Rohde and Dr. Hermann Schwarz. As a pioneer in technology, the company aims to create a safer, more connected society through its electronic test and measurement, technology systems, and networks and cybersecurity divisions. Rohde & Schwarz Japan K.K. was established in 2003 as a fully independent subsidiary of Rohde & Schwarz and provides product sales and service support in Japan across various fields, including automotive, wireless communication, electronics, and aerospace and defense.
*R&S® is a registered trademark of Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG.
*All press releases, including image downloads, are available online at http://www.press.rohde-schwarz.com.
■Contact for this matter■
Sumitomo Fudosan Osaki Garden Tower 20F, 1-1-1 Nishishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0033
Rohde & Schwarz Japan K.K.
Marketing Department, Toshimasa Sekino
Phone: +81 3 5925 1270/1290
Email: Toshimasa.Sekino@rohde-schwarz.com
Website: ht
Dulles Airport Control Tower, Washington D.C.
Rohde & Schwarz, a global leader in critical infrastructure solutions, announced today that it has been awarded a contract worth up to $4.9 billion by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to replace existing analog voice communication infrastructure at airports and air traffic control facilities with its proven "CERTIUM Voice Communications System." These systems will be manufactured at Rohde & Schwarz USA's newly established production facility in Frederick, Maryland, and its expanded facility in Coppell, Texas.
The introduction of new digital voice switches is a key pillar of the FAA's "Brand-New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS)" initiative, which aims to modernize infrastructure while ensuring the safety and reliability of air traffic control (ATC) operations within the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS). Rohde & Schwarz USA is deploying its "CERTIUM Voice Communications System (VCS)," which has a proven track record and complies with the latest ED-137 standard, across the United States. As the first modern Voice over IP (VoIP)-enabled VCS under this contract, the initial system was installed and commissioned at Allegheny County Airport (AGC) near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in September 2025. Since then, successful deployments have been completed at airports nationwide, including Beaumont (Texas), Wilmington (Delaware), Lewiston (Idaho), and Bellingham (Washington).
Frank Dunn, President and CEO of Rohde & Schwarz USA, stated: "We are proud to partner with the FAA on this critical project to modernize air traffic control communication systems in U.S. airspace. It is essential to leverage this opportunity to rebuild U.S. expertise in ATC voice communication systems. This program will create over 200 new highly skilled jobs, bringing our total workforce to over 1,000 employees. Furthermore, we are investing in and expanding new facilities to strengthen our domestic manufacturing capabilities."
Rohde & Schwarz USA has been a long-standing partner to the U.S. government and critical infrastructure agencies, supporting TSA (Transportation Security Administration) body screening, Coast Guard search and rescue operations, and building resilient communication environments for the U.S. Navy. The company has multiple locations across the U.S., combining world-class technical expertise backed by a global organization with excellent U.S.-based engineering.
The new manufacturing facility in Frederick, Maryland, which began operations in early 2026, symbolizes Rohde & Schwarz USA's $40 million investment to design, develop, and manufacture CERTIUM VCS domestically, establishing a long-term domestic production and support system. Additionally, the expansion of existing manufacturing and system integration areas in Coppell, Texas, enhances production capacity and flexibility to support this critical BNATCS initiative.
[About Rohde & Schwarz Japan K.K.]
Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG. (hereinafter "Rohde & Schwarz") was founded in 1933 in Munich, Germany, by Dr. Lothar Rohde and Dr. Hermann Schwarz. As a pioneer in technology, the company aims to create a safer, more connected society through its electronic test and measurement, technology systems, and networks and cybersecurity divisions. Rohde & Schwarz Japan K.K. was established in 2003 as a fully independent subsidiary of Rohde & Schwarz and provides product sales and service support in Japan across various fields, including automotive, wireless communication, electronics, and aerospace and defense.
*R&S® is a registered trademark of Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG.
*All press releases, including image downloads, are available online at http://www.press.rohde-schwarz.com.
■Contact for this matter■
Sumitomo Fudosan Osaki Garden Tower 20F, 1-1-1 Nishishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0033
Rohde & Schwarz Japan K.K.
Marketing Department, Toshimasa Sekino
Phone: +81 3 5925 1270/1290
Email: Toshimasa.Sekino@rohde-schwarz.com
Website: ht