Collins Aerospace

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, which has since renamed itself to RTX Corporation.

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 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.

Products

Collins Aerospace deals with:

• 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.

Cyberattack

Main article: Collins Aerospace cyberattack

In September 2025, the company suffered a cyberattack on their Muse software, which affected multiple airlines and airports, including London's Heathrow Airport, Brussels Airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport and Dublin Airport. They also suffered an attack in June 2024, though it had a much smaller impact at Heathrow it was more widespread and affected several European airports. In October 2025, the Everest ransomware group claimed responsibility for the breach on their website.

Awards & Recognition

Source:

• 2016 Outstanding Awards: B/E Aerospace BV-Philippine Branch held by Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency Award
• 2020 Top Exporter Award, Dec 03, held by Export Development Council
• EH&S Spirit Award for Exemplary Commitment to Environmental Health and Safety
• 2021 and 2023 recipient of the Best Companies to Work for in Asia awarded by HR Asia
• 2024 PCAPI Region IVA Chapter Excellence Award for Innovative Solutions in Energy and Water Conservation

References

References

1. "2020 Annual Report". Raytheon Technologies.
2. "RTX 2023 Annual Report". RTX.
3. [https://www.collinsaerospace.com/who-we-are/about-us About Us]
4. "Contact".
5. III, Woodrow Bellamy. (2018-11-27). "UTC Completes Acquisition of Rockwell Collins".
6. "United Technologies agrees $30bn Rockwell deal".
7. "Multiple suits filed against Rockwell Collins acquisition".
8. (November 26, 2018). "United Technologies [...] Completes Acquisition of Rockwell Collins". United Technologies.
9. White, Sarah. (July 21, 2023). "Safran to buy Collins flight controls unit for $1.8bn". Financial Times.
10. (July 21, 2023). "Safran agrees to buy Collins flight controls business". Reuters.
11. McCambridge, Jonathan. (2024-01-25). "US company invests £16m at Co Down site to develop aircraft seats".
12. "Raytheon sells off Danbury-based space optics business".
13. "DACIS: Unauthorized".
14. (May 21, 2013). "The wheels come off Kepler". Nature.
15. "Collins Completes Purchase Of FlightAware {{!}} Aviation Week Network".
16. Davies, Maia. (2025-09-21). "Day of delays at Heathrow after cyber-attack brings disruption".
17. (2025-09-20). "Cyber attack on Collins Aerospace disrupts check-in systems at major European airports". [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]].
18. (September 20, 2025). "European airports snarled by cyberattack, disruption to stretch into Sunday". Reuters.
19. (September 22, 2025). "EU agency says cyberattack behind airport disruptions". Reuters.
20. (September 20, 2025). "Cyberattack disrupts check-in systems at major European airports". Associated Press.
21. Staff, A. O. L.. (2025-09-21). "Day of delays at Heathrow after cyber-attack brings disruption".
22. Schappert, Stefanie. (18 October 2025). "Collins Aerospace attack claimed by Everest, linking ransomware group to last month's European airport chaos".
23. Paganini, Pierluigi. (2025-10-18). "From Airport chaos to cyber intrigue: Everest Gang takes credit for Collins Aerospace breach".
24. "Awards & Recognition".