What Rockwell Collins does

Rockwell Collins is a designer and manufacturer of integrated avionics, flight management, navigation, communications, surveillance, and simulation systems for commercial, business, and military aviation customers. Its product portfolio spans glass-cockpit integrated avionics (Pro Line 21, Pro Line Fusion, Flight2), open-systems military avionics architectures (CAAS, CCASS), enhanced vision and head-up guidance systems (HGS/EVS, HeliSure), weather radar and integrated surveillance (WXR-2100 MultiScan ThreatTrack, ISS-2100), satellite and software-defined communications (SAT-2200, VHF-2200), and Level D full-flight simulators (Edge 737). The company also produces military safety products (F-35 Gen III Helmet Mounted Display, ACES 5 ejection seat), air traffic management and airport passenger processing systems, and a portfolio of connected aircraft services (ARINC GLOBALink, GlobalConnect, InteliSight, Ascentia Analytics, Dispatch, FlightSense).

The company's go-to-market operates along two primary channels. In the military and defense segment, Rockwell Collins sells directly to U.S. and allied government customers through long-term, often sole-source contracts; notable awards include a $472.4 million CH-47 Chinook Phase V avionics integration contract (U.S. Army, through 2031) and U.S. Navy contracts for the E-2D Hawkeye Integrated Training System. In the commercial and business aviation segment, the company supplies integrated avionics and cabin systems as a tier-one supplier to major airframe OEMs including Boeing, Bombardier, Gulfstream, Embraer, and Dassault, while also selling full-flight simulators and aftermarket services directly to operators (e.g., five Boeing 737 simulator orders from Chinese operators).

Rockwell Collins was a publicly traded company (NYSE: COL) until 2018, when it was acquired by United Technologies Corporation for approximately $23 billion and merged with UTC Aerospace Systems to form Collins Aerospace. Today Rockwell Collins operates as a product-line brand and operating unit within Collins Aerospace, a business of RTX Corporation, headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with offices and operations across the U.S., Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and other regions.

Name

Rockwell Collins

Legal name

Rockwell Collins Inc.

Website

https://rockwellcollins.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1933

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Rockwell Collins designs and manufactures integrated avionics, flight management, navigation, communications, surveillance, and simulation systems for commercial, business, and military aviation customers worldwide, operating as a brand and business unit within RTX's Collins Aerospace since 2018.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace Avionics and Defense Electronics

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Avionics Integration, Wiring Harnesses & Installation Kits (IMABAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Aerospace Interior Materials & Components (Cabin) (IMABANAI)

Keywords

• Avionics systems
• Flight simulation
• Military communications
• Aircraft connectivity
• Aerospace electronics

Headquarters

HQ city

Cedar Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Defense Avionics Integration and Engineering: Rockwell Collins generates revenue through long-term defense contracts for avionics integration, modification, and engineering support on military platforms including the CH-47 Chinook helicopter, awarded as sole-source contracts by the U.S. Army.
2. In-Flight Entertainment Systems: Rockwell Collins is listed among 40+ key players in the in-flight entertainment systems market serving commercial aviation, providing cabin management and entertainment solutions to airline operators.
3. Flight Simulation Systems and Training: Revenue from manufacturing and selling full-flight simulators and training systems to civil aviation operators, including modular architecture simulators certified at Level D.
4. Commercial Avionics Systems and Upgrades: Revenue from supplying integrated avionics systems, navigation hardware, and flight management systems to commercial and business aviation manufacturers and operators, with ongoing aftermarket support.
5. Aircraft Lighting Systems: Revenue from developing and supplying commercial aircraft lighting solutions including energy-efficient and smart lighting technologies for cabin and exterior applications.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rockwell Collins designs, manufactures, and integrates avionics systems, flight management systems, communications and connectivity solutions, flight simulators, enhanced vision systems, and mission computing systems for commercial aviation, business aviation, military, and defense customers. The company supplies original equipment to airframe manufacturers and provides comprehensive aftermarket service and support across the aircraft lifecycle.

Product overview

Rockwell Collins, now part of RTX's Collins Aerospace following corporate acquisitions, offers a comprehensive portfolio of aerospace products, systems, and services across commercial aviation, business aviation, military and defense, helicopters, space, airports, and air traffic management sectors. The portfolio includes integrated avionics systems (Pro Line 21, Pro Line Fusion, Flight2), communications and connectivity solutions (ARINC GLOBALink, GlobalConnect, InteliSight), simulation and training systems (Edge full-flight simulators, E-2D Hawkeye training), military avionics (CAAS architecture, HGS/EVS, HeliSure), cabin and interior systems, airport passenger processing and baggage solutions, air traffic management automation platforms, and ejection seats (ACES 5). The company provides both original equipment and comprehensive aftermarket support through programs like Dispatch, FlightSense, and AssetFlex.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pro Line 21 Integrated Avionics System

Quantifiable outcome

• Near 100% reliability demonstrated by Rockwell Collins' Edge Boeing Next Generation 737 full-flight simulator in training operations
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• U.S. ArmycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Rockwell Collins serves as the primary avionics partner for the CH-47 Chinook program across multiple CTES (Common Avionics Architecture System) phases. The sole-source $472.4 million Phase V contract reflects accumulated institutional knowledge and proprietary architecture documentation, with work spanning integration, modification, maintenance, enhancement, and engineering support across the entire Chinook fleet including MH-47G and CH-47F Block II variants.
• U.S. NavycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRockwell Collins Simulation and Solutions received a Navy contract modification to produce and deliver SPARTA (Special Programs Advanced Readiness Trainer Afloat/Ashore) devices and provide updates for the E-2D Hawkeye Integrated Training System. Work is performed in Norfolk, Virginia and Orlando, Florida, expected to be completed by December 2026.
• HoneywellminorOthersBoth Rockwell Collins and Honeywell are identified as key players in the Flight Navigation System market. They compete across multiple avionics segments including flight management systems, navigation, and integrated cockpit solutions for commercial and military aviation.
• GarminminorOthersBoth Rockwell Collins and Garmin are identified as key players in the Flight Navigation System market, competing in avionics navigation solutions across commercial and general aviation segments.
• Thales GroupminorOthersRockwell Collins and Thales Group appear together as key market players in the Flight Navigation System market, competing in navigation, surveillance, and avionics integration for commercial and defense aviation customers.
• Pan Am International Flight AcademyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRockwell Collins' Edge Boeing Next Generation 737 full-flight simulator was tested and reviewed at the Pan Am International Flight Academy in Miami. The simulator received FAA Level D certification in June 2010 and has demonstrated near 100% reliability in training operations at this customer facility.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Direct peers

• CAE Inc. CAE is the leading independent provider of civil flight simulation and training, directly competing with Rockwell Collins Simulation and Solutions in full-flight simulators for commercial aircraft, including the Boeing 737 platform where Rockwell Collins' Edge simulator competes.
• Garmin: Garmin is a co-listed player in the flight navigation system market, competing with Rockwell Collins in avionics navigation solutions across commercial, business, and general aviation segments, particularly in retrofit and light-aircraft avionics.
• Honeywell Aerospace: Honeywell is the most direct competitor to Rockwell Collins in commercial and military avionics, flight management systems, navigation, and integrated cockpit solutions. Both are listed as co-players in the flight navigation system market and compete across business jet, air transport, and defense platforms.
• Thales Group: Thales competes with Rockwell Collins in avionics, flight navigation, surveillance, and air traffic management. Both serve commercial airlines, business aviation manufacturers, and defense customers across global markets, with overlapping portfolios in integrated cockpit and IFE-adjacent solutions.
• L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris competes with Rockwell Collins in the civil aviation flight training and simulation market and in military simulation/training systems. Together with CAE and Thales, it controls a significant share of the global civil simulation market alongside Rockwell Collins.

Emerging players

• Elbit Systems: Elbit Systems supplies avionics, helmet-mounted displays (notably for the F-35 and other platforms), and C4ISR solutions, making it a comparable player in advanced military avionics and HMDS adjacent to Rockwell Collins' F-35 Gen III HMDS work.

Broad incumbents

• BAE Systems Platforms & Services: BAE Systems is a broad defense electronics and avionics incumbent supplying military avionics, electronic warfare, and integrated cockpit solutions to U.S. and allied militaries, making it comparable on the defense avionics side of Rockwell Collins' business.
• General Dynamics Mission Systems: General Dynamics Mission Systems supplies mission-critical avionics, computing, and communications to military platforms. Comparable to Rockwell Collins on military helicopter and fixed-wing avionics integration and engineering support contracts.
• Leonardo (Leonardo DRS): Leonardo provides avionics, mission systems, and simulation/training solutions for military helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, including competitors in rotary-wing avionics where Rockwell Collins' CAAS architecture operates.

Regional players

• Saab Defense and Aviation: Saab provides military avionics and surveillance solutions for European and allied air forces, comparable to Rockwell Collins' defense avionics integration business though primarily serving European and Nordic markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rtx_news
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@RTXCorporation
• Facebookfacebook.com/rtxcorporation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rockwell-collins
• Instagraminstagram.com/rtxcorporation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A2 records

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Rockwell Collins