By Bill Colligan, CEO, Indra Air Traffic Inc.

For decades, the United States has led the world in aviation innovation. However, as airspace grows more complex and legacy systems age, modernizing our national infrastructure has never been more urgent. Enter Olathe, Kansas. With deep roots in aviation history, this heartland city is now the epicenter of the next generation of Air Traffic Management (ATM). Backed by a $50 million investment from Indra Group USA, our brand-new manufacturing Center of Excellence is officially transforming the domestic supply chain for critical aviation infrastructure.

Olathe Center of Excellence: delivering mission-critical support to the FAA

In April 2026, we proudly celebrated the grand opening of our 120,000-square-foot manufacturing hub at the Great Plains Commerce Center in Olathe, Kansas. Attended by federal and state officials alongside Indra Group leadership, the ribbon-cutting marked a significant milestone not just for our company, but for the resilience of the U.S. aerospace supply chain.

This Center of Excellence is designed from the ground up to support the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Defense. By localizing the production of highly advanced technologies, we are drastically reducing supply chain bottlenecks and ensuring that the systems keeping our skies safe are built right here at home.

Socio-economic impact and job creation

Investing in physical infrastructure ultimately means investing in people. This facility serves as a massive economic driver for the broader Kansas City region, bringing a vital influx of high-tech manufacturing opportunities to the local community. Over the next two years, the Olathe facility will create more than 200 new, high-quality jobs, effectively tripling Indra Group USA's local workforce.

These are not just jobs; they are specialized, long-term careers in engineering, quality assurance, supply chain logistics, and advanced electronics assembly and test. By tapping into Kansas's rich aviation heritage and highly skilled workforce, we are actively reinforcing the U.S. industrial base and building a domestic talent pipeline fully equipped to handle the future of aerospace technology.

Precision at scale: building critical defense and communication technology

What truly sets the Olathe Center of Excellence apart is what happens on the factory floor. The facility is a premium showcase of modern manufacturing capabilities. We have integrated advanced manufacturing processes and automated electronic testing to build critical defense and communication technology at an unprecedented scale.

From assembling next-generation air traffic surveillance radars for the FAA to manufacturing tens of thousands of NEXCOM digital radios and Tactical Air Navigation (MP-TACAN) systems for the U.S. Air Force, precision is paramount. Our automated testing systems ensure that every single piece of equipment meets the most rigorous safety and quality standards before it ever reaches an air traffic control tower or military base.

The future of American airspace is being built today. Through this steadfast commitment to Olathe, Kansas, we are proud to deliver the mission-critical infrastructure that will keep the nation's skies safe, efficient, and connected for decades to come.

Committed to the future of American airspace

The future of American airspace is being built today. Through this steadfast commitment to Olathe, Kansas, we are proud to deliver the mission-critical infrastructure that will keep the nation's skies safe, efficient, and connected for decades to come.