RTX BBN Technologies leads multi-team effort to demonstrate secure, real-time spectrum coexistence for 5G, defense radar

RTX (NYSE: RTX) BBN Technologies won a Department of War contract via the National Spectrum Consortium to build a prototype smart spectrum manager for safe, real-time coexistence between defense radars and commercial 5G in the 3.1–3.45 GHz band.

Rhea-AI Summary

RTX (NYSE: RTX) BBN Technologies won a Department of War contract via the National Spectrum Consortium to build a prototype smart spectrum manager for safe, real-time coexistence between defense radars and commercial 5G in the 3.1–3.45 GHz band.

The program will deliver a two‑phase system: an initial detector and scheduler that shifts 5G traffic in seconds, then an advanced prototype integrating radar signals, interference cancellation, ML prediction, dynamic spectrum management and a cloud/edge sandbox. Team targets include a 50% usable 5G capacity gain, 20 dB interference reduction to radars, and a 1,000x 5G link‑quality improvement. Work spans multiple U.S. locations under Other Transaction W15QKN-21-9-5599.

Positive

• Awarded a government contract under Other Transaction W15QKN-21-9-5599
• Targeted 50% increase in usable commercial 5G capacity
• Targeted 20 dB reduction in unwanted radar interference
• Targeted 1,000x improvement in 5G link quality
• Multidisciplinary team includes radar, 5G, ML, and dynamic spectrum experts

Negative

• None.

Argus Feb 10 session

-0.51% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – RTX

On Feb 10, the day this news came out, RTX closed 0.51% below the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Feb 10 session.

Market Context

This announcement underscores RTX’s role in securing spectrum sharing between defense radars and com...

Analysis

This announcement underscores RTX’s role in securing spectrum sharing between defense radars and commercial 5G, with goals including a 50% rise in usable 5G capacity, a 20 dB cut in radar interference, and a 1,000-fold improvement in 5G link quality. It complements a large backlog of about $268 billion and significant U.S. and international sales. Investors may watch for follow-on awards, integration milestones across the multi-partner team, and how this capability influences RTX’s defense and communications portfolio over time.

Key Figures

Shared band: 3.1 to 3.45 GHz Target 5G capacity gain: 50% increase Radar interference reduction: 20 dB drop +5 more

Shared band

3.1 to 3.45 GHz

Frequency band to be opened for commercial 5G alongside defense radars

Target 5G capacity gain

50% increase

Goal for usable commercial 5G capacity in coexistence system

Radar interference reduction

20 dB drop

Target reduction in unwanted interference to defense radars

5G link quality improvement

1,000-fold

Target improvement when 5G and radars operate side by side

U.S. government sales

$33.3 billion

RTX 2025 sales to U.S. government per 10-K

International sales

$41.3 billion

RTX 2025 international sales per 10-K

Total backlog

$268 billion

Backlog as of Dec 31, 2025; ~25% expected within 12 months

Q3 2025 net sales

$22.478 billion

Quarterly net sales reported in 10-Q

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 04

5 events

1. Feb 04

   Conference presentation

   24h Move

   -3.3%

   CEO scheduled to present at Citi industrial tech and mobility conference.

2. Feb 04

   Aircraft engine order

   24h Move

   -3.3%

   Vietjet ordered 44 GTF-powered A320neo family aircraft with 12-year support.

3. Feb 04

   Defense production deals

   24h Move

   -3.3%

   Raytheon signed five long-term agreements to expand critical munition output.

4. Feb 03

   Maintenance agreement

   24h Move

   -3.3%

   Pratt & Whitney Canada signed 15-year APS5000 maintenance deal with Scoot.

5. Feb 03

   Connectivity deployment

   24h Move

   -3.3%

   Collins Aerospace to deploy FOMAX connectivity on Thai Airways’ A321neo fleet.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

5g, spectrum coexistence, smart spectrum manager, dynamic spectrum management, +3 more

7 terms

5g technical

"when they share the same radio frequencies with commercial 5G networks."

5G is the fifth generation of wireless technology that provides faster internet connections, lower latency, and greater capacity than previous networks. It enables quicker downloads, smoother streaming, and more reliable connections for devices. For investors, 5G represents a significant upgrade in technology infrastructure that can drive growth in related industries such as smartphones, smart cities, and the Internet of Things.

spectrum coexistence technical

"This initiative addresses concerns about maintaining the operational readiness of critical national security radars when they share the same radio frequencies with commercial 5G networks."

Spectrum coexistence is the practice of different wireless services and devices using the same radio frequencies at the same time without causing harmful interference to each other. For investors, it matters because successful coexistence can lower costs, speed market rollouts and enable more services from the same resource, while poor coexistence risks regulatory limits, expensive network upgrades or lost revenue—think of multiple neighbors sharing a driveway without blocking each other.

smart spectrum manager technical

"the BBN-led team will create a basic "smart spectrum manager" that can detect when a radar is operating"

A smart spectrum manager is a software-driven system that monitors and controls the use of radio frequencies to make wireless networks run more efficiently and avoid interference. Like a traffic controller or smart thermostat for airwaves, it dynamically assigns channels, enforces rules, and adapts to demand so network operators can carry more data, cut costs, meet regulator requirements, and unlock new services — outcomes investors watch for revenue growth and reduced operational risk.

dynamic spectrum management technical

"Federated Wireless will bring dynamic spectrum management capabilities to optimize shared spectrum usage."

A way of allocating radio frequencies so wireless services can share and use them more efficiently in real time, similar to letting cars switch lanes dynamically to avoid jams. For investors, it matters because better spectrum use can boost network capacity, reduce operating costs, and enable new services or customers without buying more frequency rights, which can change revenue growth, capital needs and regulatory risk for telecom and wireless-dependent companies.

machine learning technical

"Purdue University will deliver advanced signal processing and machine learning (ML) models for faster interference predictions."

Machine learning is a set of computer programs that learn patterns from large amounts of data and improve their predictions or decisions over time, like a recipe that gets better each time it’s adjusted based on taste tests. For investors it matters because these systems can speed up analysis, spot trends or risks humans might miss, automate routine work, and potentially create competitive advantages or cost savings that affect a company’s performance.

View in glossary

spectrum sensing technical

"Novowi will offer ML-based techniques for real-time spectrum sensing, classification and localization"

Spectrum sensing is the process of detecting which radio frequency channels are currently in use and which are free so wireless devices can choose where to transmit without causing interference. For investors, it matters because effective spectrum sensing lets products use limited airwaves more efficiently, helps meet regulatory rules, reduces service problems, and can unlock new markets or cost savings for companies in telecom, IoT, and defense — like checking highway lanes before merging.

spectrum access system technical

"the team will also deliver a "sandbox" version of the spectrum access system that can run in the cloud"

A spectrum access system is an automated regulator for radio frequencies that assigns who can use which airwaves, when, and at what power to prevent interference between users. Think of it as an air-traffic controller for wireless signals: it coordinates access so higher-priority users are protected while others can use leftover capacity. Investors care because SAS performance and rules affect network reliability, capacity, potential revenue streams, and regulatory risk for companies relying on wireless spectrum.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Team to build prototype that protects defense radars when the 3.1 to 3.45 GHz band is opened for commercial use

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- RTX's (NYSE: RTX) BBN Technologies has been awarded a contract by the Department of War (DoW), in partnership with the National Spectrum Consortium, to support its Advanced Spectrum Coexistence Demonstration program. This initiative addresses concerns about maintaining the operational readiness of critical national security radars when they share the same radio frequencies with commercial 5G networks.

Current spectrum coexistence tools can take tens of minutes to detect interference, negotiate a new allocation, and reconfigure radios. This delay leaves both commercial 5G users and incumbent radars vulnerable to service loss or unsafe operations. In the program's first phase, the BBN-led team will create a basic "smart spectrum manager" that can detect when a radar is operating and predict whether a 5G signal might interfere and automatically shift 5G traffic to avoid issues in seconds.

In the second phase, the project will evolve from a basic working model to a more advanced prototype equipped with cutting-edge tools to ensure radar and 5G networks can share the same frequencies reliably and seamlessly. These tools will transform the system into a smart, self-managing platform that follows preset rules to automatically optimize spectrum sharing. Once developed, this platform can be deployed on operational radars and 5G systems, allowing them to work safely, securely, and efficiently side by side, with little need for human involvement.

"Lives are put at risk when a radar misses a target, whether it's a ship navigating waters or a rescue team tracking a storm," said Chris Vander Valk, BBN principal investigator for the effort. "Our work ensures those radars stay reliable, even as 5G frequencies become increasingly congested, so public and private shared use of the spectrum is optimized for all users."

The multi-team effort brings together the expertise needed for a comprehensive solution:

• Raytheon Advanced Technology will provide real radar signals and test equipment.
• Ericsson Federal Technologies Group will contribute 5G network expertise to ensure feasibility of transition.
• Signal Processing Technologies will share advanced interference cancellation, detection and localization techniques.
• Federated Wireless will bring dynamic spectrum management capabilities to optimize shared spectrum usage.
• Purdue University will deliver advanced signal processing and machine learning (ML) models for faster interference predictions.
• Novowi will offer ML-based techniques for real-time spectrum sensing, classification and localization, as well as security analysis.

BBN will integrate these components into a system for future government use and will incorporate a risk management function to balance potential impacts on incumbent and commercial operations.

The team hopes to achieve a 50% increase in usable commercial 5G capacity, a 20 dB drop in unwanted interference to radars, and a 1,000-fold improvement in 5G link quality when both systems operate side by side. To accelerate the transition, the team will also deliver a "sandbox" version of the spectrum access system that can run in the cloud or at the edge of the network, simplifying the move from testing to real-world deployment.

If successful, the system will turn a longstanding "either/or" dilemma—protect the radar or grow 5G—into a "both/and" solution, expanding the nation's digital economy while preserving national security. Work will be performed in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Marlborough, Massachusetts; Plano, Texas; Vienna, Virginia; Merrimack, New Hampshire; Arlington, Virginia; West Lafayette, Indiana; and Brookline, Massachusetts.

This effort was sponsored by the U.S. Government under Other Transaction number W15QKN-21-9-5599 between the National Spectrum Consortium (NSC) and the Government. The U.S. Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for Governmental purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation herein. The views and conclusions contained herein are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies or endorsements, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government.

About RTX BBN Technologies 
Founded in 1948, RTX BBN Technologies provides advanced technology research and development with a focus on national security priorities. From the ARPANET to the first email, through the first metro network protected by quantum cryptography, BBN consistently transitions advanced research to produce innovative solutions for its customers. BBN takes risks and challenges conventions to create solutions in analytics and machine intelligence, networks and sensors, intelligent software and systems, and physical sciences.

About RTX 
With more than 180,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. With industry-leading capabilities, we advance aviation, engineer integrated defense systems for operational success, and develop next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2025 sales of more than $88 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact corporatepr@rtx.com 

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rtx-bbn-technologies-leads-multi-team-effort-to-demonstrate-secure-real-time-spectrum-coexistence-for-5g-defense-radar-302680279.html

SOURCE RTX

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did RTX BBN Technologies announce on February 10, 2026 about spectrum coexistence (NYSE: RTX)?

RTX BBN Technologies announced a DoW‑sponsored contract to develop a smart spectrum manager for 3.1–3.45 GHz coexistence. According to the company, the two‑phase program will build a seconds‑scale detector/scheduler and an advanced prototype integrating ML, interference cancellation, and dynamic spectrum tools.

What are the performance targets for the RTX BBN Technologies spectrum coexistence prototype (RTX)?

The team aims for a 50% increase in usable 5G capacity, a 20 dB drop in radar interference, and a 1,000x 5G link‑quality improvement. According to the company, these targets measure expected gains when radar and 5G operate side by side using the prototype.

Who are the partners on the RTX BBN Technologies spectrum coexistence team and their roles?

The consortium includes Raytheon Advanced Technology, Ericsson Federal, Signal Processing Technologies, Federated Wireless, Purdue University, Novowi, and BBN. According to the company, partners provide radar signals, 5G transition expertise, interference algorithms, dynamic spectrum tools, ML models, sensing, and system integration.

Where will the RTX BBN Technologies coexistence work be performed and under what agreement?

Work will be carried out across Cambridge, Marlborough, Plano, Vienna, Merrimack, Arlington, West Lafayette, and Brookline. According to the company, the effort is sponsored by the U.S. Government under Other Transaction number W15QKN-21-9-5599 with the National Spectrum Consortium.

How will the RTX BBN Technologies prototype speed transition from testing to deployment (RTX)?

The team will deliver a sandbox version of the spectrum access system runnable in the cloud or at the network edge to ease real‑world deployment. According to the company, the sandbox accelerates transition from lab tests to operational radar and 5G systems.