Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems

What Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems does

Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems (ACSS) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based subsidiary of L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) that designs, manufactures, and supports aviation communication and surveillance products, including transponders, collision avoidance systems, and air traffic management equipment. The unit was acquired by L3Harris (then L3 Technologies) and became a wholly-owned subsidiary following the 2019 merger of L3 and Harris Corporation; it operates today within a parent that reports $21.9B+ annual revenue across three strategic segments and 100+ countries. ACSS's products serve government defense customers (U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, Department of War, German Forces) and commercial aviation operators, with the broader portfolio also spanning WESCAM EO/IR imaging systems, BNVD fused night vision, PAC-3 missile defense propulsion, and the VC-25B presidential aircraft platform. The business model is predominantly direct enterprise sales of mission-critical hardware to government defense agencies under multi-year contracts awarded through competitive bidding, complemented by ongoing sustainment and professional services for delivered systems. Pricing is contract-specific and not publicly disclosed, reflecting the classified and negotiated nature of defense procurement.

Name

Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems

Legal name

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

Website

https://acss.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ACSS, a wholly-owned L3Harris subsidiary based in Phoenix, designs and manufactures aviation communication and surveillance systems—including transponders, collision avoidance, and air traffic management equipment—for government defense customers and regional airlines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Avionics and Surveillance Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Air Traffic Control (488111)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Surveillance & Identification Avionics (ADS-B/Transponders/TCAS) (IMABAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Avionics Software, Certification & Safety-Critical Systems (DO-178/DO-254) (IMABAFAK)

Keywords

• Aviation surveillance systems
• Aviation transponders
• Collision avoidance systems
• Air traffic management
• Flight following solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Defense and Aerospace Products: L3Harris generates the majority of its $21.9B+ annual revenue through the sale of defense and aerospace products including aircraft systems, communication systems, night vision equipment, surveillance systems, and missile defense components. These are primarily one-time capital equipment purchases with long sales cycles to government defense customers.
2. Mission-Critical Communication Systems: Sale and support of specialized communication systems for military forces including tactical radios, satellite communications, and integrated command and control systems. Revenue generated through direct government contracts for defense modernization programs.
3. Defense Services and Support: Ongoing support, maintenance, and professional services related to delivered defense systems, likely including training, integration, and sustainment services for military customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ACSS is responsible for the design, manufacture, and support of aviation communication and surveillance systems including transponders, collision avoidance systems, and air traffic management solutions. The company sells its products to regional airlines and serves the broader commercial aviation segment with flight following, real-time aircraft tracking, and aviation safety compliance solutions.

Product overview

The company delivers a portfolio of aviation communication and surveillance systems for defense and national security applications. Core products include airborne imaging systems (WESCAM MX-Series EO/IR), night vision devices (BNVD Fused), aircraft platforms (VC-25B Bridge), missile defense systems (PAC-3 propulsion), military communication systems, and drone interceptor technology. These products serve defense forces, government agencies, and allied nations requiring advanced aviation, tracking, and surveillance capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WESCAM MX-Series: Electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) imaging systems for airborne platforms
• BNVD
• PAC-3

Products and services

• Aviation Transponders Aviation transponder systems used by aircraft to communicate position and identification data to air traffic control and other aircraft. Designed, manufactured, and supported by ACSS for regional and commercial aviation operators.
• Collision Avoidance Systems Aviation collision avoidance systems that detect and help prevent mid-air and surface collisions between aircraft. Provided by ACSS to regional airlines and commercial aviation operators for safety compliance.
• Air Traffic Management Solutions Air traffic management solutions that support the coordination, routing, and surveillance of aircraft in controlled airspace. Sold by ACSS to aviation operators and regulatory-aligned customers.
• Flight Following Solutions Real-time aircraft tracking and flight following solutions enabling operators to monitor fleet position, status, and movement. Driven by regulatory mandates for aviation safety and used by commercial airlines and cargo operators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Delivered VC-25B Bridge aircraft to U.S. Air Force for Air Force One fleet modernization
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• SkydaggercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026L3Harris and Skydagger signed an agreement to collaborate on drone interceptor technology development. This strategic partnership combines L3Harris's defense systems expertise with Skydagger's drone interceptor capabilities to address emerging threats from unmanned aerial systems. The collaboration represents joint technology development for counter-drone solutions in defense and security applications.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• L3Harris Technologies: ACSS's parent company; L3Harris as a whole competes broadly across defense electronics, communications, and aviation. Listed here as the parent/sister-unit context that frames ACSS's competitive positioning rather than as a direct product-level competitor.
• Safran Electronics & Defense: Diversified French aerospace and defense prime offering avionics, navigation, and surveillance systems across civil and military aviation; overlaps with ACSS in safety-critical avionics but as part of a much broader portfolio.

Direct peers

• Honeywell Aerospace: One of the largest avionics primes, producing transponders, traffic collision avoidance systems, and integrated flight safety/surveillance equipment for commercial, business, and military aviation — a direct competitor across ACSS's core product lines.
• Universal Avionics: Specializes in avionics upgrades, flight management systems, and safety/surveillance equipment for business and regional aviation — a closely comparable niche competitor to ACSS in safety-critical retrofit hardware.
• Collins Aerospace (RTX): Major avionics manufacturer producing TCAS, transponders, ADS-B equipment, and integrated surveillance suites for commercial and military aviation — directly competes with ACSS in the safety-critical surveillance category and sells to the same airline and defense customers.
• Thales: Thales was the original joint-venture partner with L3 Technologies in ACSS before L3Harris consolidated full ownership in 2019. Thales continues to compete in aviation surveillance, air traffic management, and avionics for both civil and defense customers.
• Garmin: Produces ADS-B and transponder equipment across general aviation, business aviation, and regional airline segments; competes head-to-head with ACSS in safety/surveillance hardware, particularly for retrofit and panel-mount applications.

Emerging players

• FreeFlight Systems: Focused specifically on ADS-B and surveillance avionics for commercial, business, and military operators. A smaller, more specialized peer competing in a subset of ACSS's product range.

Others

• Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions: Defense electronics and avionics supplier offering ruggedized computing, network, and safety-critical subsystems for military and aerospace platforms — adjacent comparable in safety-critical embedded avionics for defense aviation.

Regional players

• Indra (Navia Solutions): Provides air traffic management and aviation surveillance systems primarily in European and Latin American markets; competes with ACSS in ATM/ground surveillance adjacent categories rather than onboard hardware.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/L3HarrisTech
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCENNhz_O63zkKUHkj6bsIIQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/L3HarrisTechnologies
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/l3harris-technologies
• Instagraminstagram.com/l3harristech

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems