Raytheon-MetTel team to pursue $3.5B FAA telecom program

Raytheon Technologies and Manhattan Telecommunications Corp. have unveiled their partnership to bid for a large telecommunications and information management services contract with the Federal Aviation Administration.

Also known as FENS, the FAA Enterprise Network Services program is anticipated to have a $3.5 billion ceiling value over up to 15 years with an award due sometime within the next 12 months. Proposals were due to the FAA on Feb. 5.

In a release Monday, the companies said Raytheon’s Intelligence & Space and Collins Aerospace businesses are bidding as the prime with MetTel lined up as the managed network services provider.

“Our solution delivers a secure network while avoiding telco vendor and technology lock-in to ensure that the FAA can adopt new technologies and tools in the future by leveraging commercial industry investments,” said Denis Donohue, vice president of communications and airspace management systems for Raytheon Intelligence & Space.

“We look forward to the opportunity to partner with Raytheon to help the FAA accomplish its critical mission," said Robert Dapkiewicz, senior vice president and general manager of MetTel's federal business.

Raytheon and MetTel are one of those companies or teams seeking to unseat the long-time incumbent in L3Harris Technologies, which has held the contract since 2002.

FENS is a big undertaking by the FAA to roll out a new network infrastructure that can support new technologies and entrants into U.S. civilian airspace.

The FAA plans to connect around 4,400 FAA and Defense Department facilities with voice, data and video communications for operating the National Airspace System.