Matan Companies Tenant Rohde & Schwarz USA Wins $4.9B FAA Contract, Opens Frederick, MD Manufacturing Facility

Rohde & Schwarz USA has been awarded a contract worth up to $4.9 billion by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to modernize voice communication systems at airports and air traffic control facilities across the United States, the company announced April 23, 2026. These systems will be produced at the company's new manufacturing facility in Frederick, Maryland and an expanded facility in Coppell, Texas — with the Frederick site located within a property managed by Matan Companies.

Contract Scope and FAA Modernization Initiative

The award is part of the FAA's Brand-New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) initiative, which aims to replace aging analog infrastructure with digital voice-over-IP technology. Rohde & Schwarz USA will deploy its CERTIUM Voice Communication System (VCS), compliant with the ED-137 standard, at facilities throughout the National Airspace System (NAS).

The first system under the contract went live in September 2025 at Allegheny County Airport near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, marking the first modern voice-over-IP VCS deployed in the NAS under this program. Subsequent deployments have been completed at locations in Beaumont, Texas; Wilmington, Delaware; Lewiston, Idaho; and Bellingham, Washington.

Frederick, MD Facility and Matan Companies

The new manufacturing facility in Frederick, Maryland opened in early 2026 and represents a $40 million investment by Rohde & Schwarz USA. The Frederick site is part of Matan Companies' portfolio. The investment is intended to support domestic design, development, and manufacturing of the CERTIUM VCS for the duration of the BNATCS program.

Jobs and Workforce Expansion

Frank Dunn, President & CEO of Rohde & Schwarz USA, said the contract represents an opportunity to rebuild domestic expertise in air traffic control communication systems.

"Rohde & Schwarz USA is proud to work with the FAA on this important project to modernize the air traffic control communication systems in the U.S. airspace," Dunn said. "It's important we use this opportunity to reestablish U.S. expertise in ATC voice communication systems. With this program we are creating over 200 additional highly skilled jobs, elevating Rohde & Schwarz USA's total workforce to over 1,000 members. In addition, we are expanding and investing in new facilities to add manufacturing capacity in America."

The company's U.S. workforce will exceed 1,000 employees following the addition of more than 200 positions tied to the BNATCS program.

Additional Context

Rohde & Schwarz USA has longstanding relationships with federal government and critical infrastructure clients, including the Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Navy. The Frederick facility adds manufacturing capacity alongside the expanded Coppell, Texas location to meet the scale of the FAA contract.

Sources

Matan Companies – Tenant in the News: Rohde & Schwarz USA Awarded $4.9B FAA Contract

Rohde & Schwarz – Full Press Release