Key facts
- Some U.S. airlines are evaluating an additional system to prevent midair collisions, according to Acron Technologies CEO Alan Crawford.
- Acron Technologies has already equipped American Airlines' single-aisle Airbus planes with the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast In platform.
- U.S. lawmakers are considering legislation to mandate ADS-B In following a fatal crash in January 2025.
- Acron is in active conversations with multiple U.S. carriers, with some indicating potential orders by year's end.
- United Airlines' new widebody aircraft will include ADS-B In, and the carrier is working to equip other aircraft types.
- The cost to equip planes with ADS-B In is in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Some U.S. airlines are proactively exploring the installation of an additional safety system to prevent midair collisions, even as legislative mandates are still under consideration. Acron Technologies, a company that retrofits Airbus jets with the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast In (ADS-B In) platform, has reported active discussions with most major U.S. carriers.
Acron CEO Alan Crawford indicated that some airlines are signaling their intent to place orders for the system by the end of the year, suggesting a move independent of potential legislative requirements. ADS-B In allows aircraft to receive real-time traffic broadcasts from other planes directly in the cockpit, enhancing pilot situational awareness. This technology is seen as crucial for preventing midair collisions, especially following a fatal crash involving an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter in January 2025.
While U.S. commercial aircraft are already required to have ADS-B Out, which transmits their position, ADS-B In is currently an optional technology. The Air Line Pilots Association has publicly supported a congressional mandate for ADS-B In to improve safety. Despite the potential for future legislative requirements, some airlines may prefer to wait to avoid potential additional costs associated with retrofitting aircraft later.
United Airlines has stated that its new widebody aircraft deliveries will include ADS-B In, and the carrier is collaborating with the FAA and other entities to extend this service to other aircraft types. The cost for equipping planes with ADS-B In is estimated to be in the tens of thousands of dollars per aircraft. Meanwhile, Honeywell Aerospace is expected to certify its SURF-A cockpit safety software, designed to prevent runway collisions, by the end of the year.