Leidos to modernize Kazakhstan's air traffic control system for future growth with nationwide common automation platform

Rhea-AI Summary

Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) signed a 19-year contract with Kazaeronavigatsia to modernize Kazakhstan's air traffic control system, upgrading hardware and installing the SkyLine-X Air Traffic Management platform.

The program covers work at 4 control centers and 21 towers, delivering end-to-end surveillance, improved safety functions, and a modular open automation platform designed for resilience and future growth. Kazakhstan expects annual passengers to rise to 26 million by 2030 from ~15 million and to more than double its civil fleet while adding 81 international destinations.

Positive

• Signed a 19-year nationwide contract
• Program covers 4 control centers and 21 towers
• Deployment of SkyLine-X common automation platform
• Supports projected 26 million passengers by 2030

Negative

• None.

Insights

Civil aviation systems expert

Leidos won a long-term national ATM modernization contract in Kazakhstan, supplying SkyLine-X and hardware across control centers and towers.

Leidos will deliver a nationwide common automation platform and hardware refresh across Kazaeronavigatsia (KAN) facilities, covering four control centers and 21 towers over a 19-year performance period. The work centers on deploying SkyLine-X to provide end-to-end surveillance, enhanced safety functions, and streamlined controller workflows that replace legacy automation with a modular, open architecture.

Key dependencies include timely system integration, training for controllers, and phased cutovers to avoid operational disruption; these elements will determine schedule and risk. Concrete monitorable items are the multi-year deployment milestones and operational acceptance at the four centers and 21 towers, plus progress toward handling projected traffic growth to 2030 levels of 26 million passengers and a civil fleet more than double current size. Expect near-term execution focus and multi-year performance tracking through 2030.

RESTON, Va., Oct. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on more than 20 years of supporting the Republic of Kazakhstan's aviation operations, Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) recently signed a contract with Kazaeronavigatsia (KAN), the country's air navigation service provider, to modernize the air traffic control system to accommodate the significant growth that's projected for the country's aviation sector.

Leidos will upgrade the systems that help air traffic controllers safely manage planes on the ground and in the air. In addition to a hardware refresh, Leidos will install its SkyLine-X Air Traffic Management system that will provide controllers with end-to-end surveillance, improved safety functions and streamlined operations. SkyLine-X brings a common automation platform with a modular and open architecture that is designed to be resilient, easy to use, and flexible for future needs.

"Over the past 20 years, Leidos has been more than a supplier; they have been a strategic ally," said Faat Bogdashkin, Director General of Kazaeronavigatsia. "They have consistently anticipated our needs and involved their solutions to help us navigate a changing market. We look forward to continuing our successful cooperation with Leidos on the Air Traffic Management System modernization with SkyLine-X. It is important to meet our mission to safely manage the growing volume of air traffic in Kazakhstan."

The agreement has a 19-year period of performance and includes work at four control centers and 21 towers across the country.

"We value the trust we've built over the past two decades working with KAN," said Liz Porter, Leidos Health and Civil Sector president. "The skies over Kazakhstan are key to international flight paths and this upgrade helps support the country's safe and reliable air traffic system and allows controllers to continue managing the airspace with increased confidence." 

According to the Kazakhstan government, by 2030, the country's annual passenger traffic is expected to reach 26 million people, up from almost 15 million, its civil aircraft fleet is expected to more than double, and 81 new international destinations are to be added. Drawing on a track record of safely guiding flights across U.S. and global skies, Leidos is well positioned to efficiently modernize Kazakhstan's air traffic control infrastructure and meet the demands of the future.

Kazakhstan currently has a flight safety rating of 82%, well above the global average of 70.8%, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.leidos.com. 

Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future results or occurrences. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the "Risk Factors" set forth in Leidos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Leidos does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements were made.

Media Contact

Brandon Ver Velde
571.526.6257
brandon.p.vervelde@leidos.com 

 

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SOURCE Leidos Holdings, Inc.

FAQ

What is the length and scope of Leidos's contract with Kazaeronavigatsia (LDOS)?

Leidos signed a 19-year contract covering upgrades at 4 control centers and 21 towers nationwide.

What system will Leidos install in Kazakhstan under the LDOS contract?

Leidos will install its SkyLine-X Air Traffic Management system with a common automation platform and hardware refresh.

How does the LDOS program address Kazakhstan passenger growth forecasts?

The upgrade aims to support projected growth to 26 million annual passengers by 2030 and a more than doubling of the civil fleet.

Which operational improvements does SkyLine-X provide in the LDOS project?

SkyLine-X provides end-to-end surveillance, improved safety functions, streamlined operations, and modular open architecture.

How extensive is Kazakhstan's planned international expansion mentioned in the LDOS announcement?

Kazakhstan plans to add 81 new international destinations as part of the projected aviation expansion through 2030.

What is Kazakhstan's current flight safety rating cited in the LDOS release?

The release cites a current flight safety rating of 82%, above the global average of 70.8%.