ITT Lands New Air Traffic Control Pact

ITT has won a federal contract worth a possible $1.8 billion to help create new technology for the next U.S. air traffic control system.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the new system will rely on satellites, not radar, to guide aircraft, The Washington Post reported. FAA officials describe satellite technology as far more timely and accurate than radar.

Officials said the network is expected to ease flight delays, improve safety and reduce pollution. The FAA picked ITT over Raytheon and Lockheed Martin of Bethesda, Md.

The entire air traffic system is expected to cost at least $15 billion over the next two decades. ITT won the right to build the first phase, known as Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, including ground stations needed to relay air traffic information to controllers and pilots.

ITT representatives said they will maintain more than 700 ground stations nationwide — many in cellphone towers maintained by AT&T, a contract partner.