The Air Force awarded Raytheon a contract to build rapidly deployable air traffic control systems, according to a May 20 company release. The contract, with a potential value of up to $260 million, calls for Raytheon to supply one test Deployable Radar Approach Control system and up to 18 production units; the Air Force has already authorized $50.6 million toward early development, states the release. “Our deployable system capitalizes on many years of investment and testing, and will support safe and efficient airspace operations in areas where air traffic infrastructure is compromised or non-existent,” said Joseph Paone, Raytheon’s air traffic management director. D-RAPCON consists of a transportable antenna plus three trailer-sized shelters that house radar equipment, communications systems, and an operations center, states the release.
President-elect Donald Trump has said he will nominate Pete Hegseth, a Fox News personality, as Secretary of Defense for Trump's second term. The choice rounds out most of the national security selections for the new administration.