Resulting from a competitive solicitation issued, under which three companies competed, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded Indra a $244.3m contract, if all options are exercised, to renew its ground-air communications system, key to air traffic management (ATM) in the country, by replacing its analogue radio systems (UHF and VHF) with digital radio equipment capable of analogue and VoIP operation.
This contract positions Indra as the global leader in radio communications for ATM, with roughly 50% market share.
The company envisions the manufacture of up to 46,000 new radio devices at its facility in Overland Park, Kansas, where it will transfer the production of its Park Air radio technology for the US market.
In addition to developing the equipment, the contract includes producing, testing, and qualifying the radios as well as a ten-year warranty on radios.
Indra’s digital radio systems are equipped with IP technology to enable voice and data communication over a secure network (VoIP), which will enable air-ground communications between pilots and air traffic controllers in facilities across the US.
“This contract constitutes another step in our growth strategy in the United States. Key to achieving the above has been the cooperation of our subsidiary in the US with Indra’s Centre of Excellence for radios in the UK, Park Air, renowned for its leadership and extensive experience in the development of advanced communications systems, which will now have a new production centre in Kansas”, said Javier Ruano, director of ATM at Indra.
