Maryland-based Rohde & Schwarz USA recently held a grand-opening ceremony for its $40 million, 87,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Frederick, Md.
The facility will build digital Voice over IP voice switches that help air traffic controllers communicate with pilots and other air traffic control facilities.
“This equipment is a critical part of our landmark air traffic control modernization effort,” Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford said at the ceremony. “The new facility supports our aggressive schedule to complete the new system by the end of 2028 while strengthening U.S. production capabilities and creating high-quality American jobs.”
“We’re making sure our air traffic control system is American made,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. “Under President Trump, we aren’t just modernizing our skies at record speed — we’re putting American workers, American manufacturing, and American innovation first.”
Rohde & Schwarz USA is an independent company of Germany-based Rohde & Schwarz, a global technology group operating in more than 70 countries. Rohde & Schwarz USA manufacturers broadcasting, monitoring and network testing, secure communications, and test and measurement equipment.
The FAA is working to upgrade the air traffic control system nationwide. Among other improvements, it has replaced 63 percent of copper wires with either high-speed fiber, 5G wireless or LEO capabilities.