Transportation Secretary Tours RTX Facility in Largo

Sean Duffy visited the local manufacturing site as part of a multi-billion dollar air traffic control upgrade.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Manufacturing

Transportation Secretary Tours RTX Facility in Largo

Live Poll

Do you support increasing federal spending to modernize aging national air traffic control technology?

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy toured the RTX facility in Largo to highlight the federally funded Modern Skies modernization project. The initiative focuses on replacing outdated air traffic control equipment across the United States.

Why it matters

The project addresses significant safety and capacity concerns caused by aging aviation technology. It aims to overhaul outdated systems to better manage the demands of modern air travel.

The federal government has allocated $12.5 billion for the Modern Skies project, which has already created 100 new jobs at the RTX Largo facility. Secretary Duffy plans to request an additional $30 billion for the initiative by the end of 2026.

The players

Sean Duffy

He is the United States Secretary of Transportation who is overseeing the national infrastructure modernization effort.

RTX

This is the aerospace and defense company currently manufacturing the radar systems for the Modern Skies initiative.

The details

The project replaces aging radar, software, hardware, and telecommunications systems in control towers that currently rely on copper wiring and paper flight strips dating to the 1960s. Contractors are required to manufacture all equipment domestically to meet federal standards.

1960s: Existing air traffic control technology was originally installed.
End of 2026: The Secretary intends to secure an additional $30 billion in funding.
End of 2028: Upgrades funded by the current $12.5 billion are scheduled for completion.
Start of 2029: The potential deployment of equipment funded by the additional $30 billion begins.

Market Landscape

The Modern Skies modernization project represents a major industry shift toward replacing legacy 1960s-era infrastructure with updated domestic radar and telecommunications systems. This initiative positions manufacturers like RTX at the center of a long-term federal effort to upgrade national air traffic control capabilities.

Local residents and travelers may experience future system stability improvements as upgrades reach regional hubs like Tampa International Airport, St. Pete-Clearwater Airport, and Sarasota-Bradenton Airport. The project also provides a localized economic boost through the addition of 100 manufacturing jobs at the RTX facility.

The takeaway

Replacing 1960s-era wiring and paper-based tracking is a critical step for modern aviation safety. Passengers should anticipate long-term upgrades at major regional airports as these federal systems are rolled out over the coming years.