RTX's BBN Technologies unveils auto-switching system that keeps critical data alive

RTX (NYSE: RTX) announced that its BBN Technologies unit has demonstrated PACE4ACE, an auto-switching, self-healing communications system for contested environments.

Rhea-AI Summary

RTX (NYSE: RTX) announced that its BBN Technologies unit has demonstrated PACE4ACE, an auto-switching, self-healing communications system for contested environments. Funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory, it maintains secure data flow for combat air support by automatically rerouting traffic across satellite, radio and low-power links.

During testing, four dispersed sites stayed connected as PACE4ACE instantly shifted to viable waveforms when high-capacity links were jammed, keeping Open Mission Systems and Team Awareness Kit applications synchronized. The compact, multiband, plug-and-play architecture supports Agile Combat Employment for dispersed U.S. Air Force units.

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News Market Reaction – RTX

In the May 20 session, RTX gained 0.21%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement highlights RTX BBN’s PACE4ACE system, demonstrating self-healing, multiband commun...

Analysis

This announcement highlights RTX BBN’s PACE4ACE system, demonstrating self-healing, multiband communications that maintained links across four dispersed sites under jamming. It adds to recent program milestones in space instruments and naval radar, reinforcing RTX’s position across advanced defense technologies. Investors may track how often this capability transitions into larger contracts, how it complements other RTX businesses, and how capital allocation decisions under the existing shelf registration shape future risk and opportunity.

Key Figures

Connected sites: 4 sites

Connected sites

4 sites

PACE4ACE exercise maintained connectivity across four geographically dispersed sites

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: May 19

5 events

1. May 19

   Supply-chain risk note

   24h Move

   -0.1%

   Commentary on dependence on Chinese rare earth magnets for U.S. weapons.

2. May 19

   Defense capacity overview

   24h Move

   -0.1%

   Sector-wide narrative on ramping U.S. defense industrial base capacity.

3. May 18

   Space program milestone

   24h Move

   +2.8%

   Raytheon completes preliminary design review for NASA Landsat Next instruments.

4. May 18

   Radar contract win

   24h Move

   +2.8%

   Contract to advance next-generation software-defined naval radar capabilities.

5. May 15

   Conference appearance

   24h Move

   -2.6%

   Announcement of CEO presentation at Bernstein 2026 Strategic Decisions Conference.

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

Key Terms

Agile Combat Employment, Open Mission Systems, low SWaP

3 terms

Agile Combat Employment technical

"The demonstration validates the Agile Combat Employment, or ACE, concept for the U.S. Air Force"

Agile combat employment is a military approach where forces operate from many dispersed, quickly changeable locations instead of relying on a few large bases, like a courier who uses many small drop points rather than one warehouse. For investors, it matters because it changes what defense contractors and suppliers must build, equip and sustain—shifting demand toward portable systems, rapid logistics, and resilient communications, which can influence contract awards and spending patterns.

Open Mission Systems technical

"keeping Open Mission Systems and Team Awareness Kit applications synchronized"

Open mission systems are modular, standards-based designs for complex equipment and software that let different suppliers’ parts plug together and be upgraded without replacing the whole system. For investors, this matters because it can lower long-term costs, speed innovation, reduce single-vendor dependence and create recurring upgrade and services opportunities across defense and aerospace programs — similar to how using standard USB ports lets many brands work with the same device.

low SWaP technical

"Compact, low SWaP architecture, suited for space- and power-constrained systems."

A low swap is a small overnight financing charge (or credit) applied when an investor holds a leveraged position through the close of a trading day, common in forex, CFDs and some derivatives. It matters because smaller overnight costs make it cheaper to carry a position over time, like paying a low nightly parking fee instead of a high one; that can change the profitability of longer-term trades and affect portfolio returns.

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PACE4ACE automatically reroutes network traffic in contested environments to ensure uninterrupted communications

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- RTX's (NYSE: RTX) BBN Technologies, with funding from the Air Force Research Laboratory, has demonstrated a self-healing system that provides continuous, secure data flow for combat air support even when underlying networks are jammed, fragmented or unavailable.

The system is designed to operate across a diverse range of military and commercial communication pathways, from satellite links to low-power tactical radios. Using the Primary, Alternate, Contingency and Emergency for Agile Combat Employment (PACE4ACE) architecture, the system automatically selects the best available link and reroutes traffic without operator input. 

"For warfighters on the ground and in the cockpit, PACE4ACE helps ensure critical data never disappears, even under jamming," said Dr. Sam Nelson, principal investigator at RTX BBN Technologies. "The network self-heals, so crews can focus on the mission instead of troubleshooting communications."

During the exercise, four geographically dispersed sites remained connected. When any of the high-capacity links were jammed, the system instantly switched to the next viable waveform, maintaining situational awareness and keeping Open Mission Systems and Team Awareness Kit applications synchronized.  

PACE4ACE offers advanced capabilities engineered to enhance operational efficiency and reliability, including:

• Resilient, self-healing communications, providing continuity if a link is disrupted.
• Compact, low SWaP architecture, suited for space- and power-constrained systems.
• Multiband support, enabling the use of diverse communication channels.
• Plug-and-play integration, simplifying setup with common mission systems.  
• Dynamic, real-time routing, helping maintain performance as conditions change. 

The demonstration validates the Agile Combat Employment, or ACE, concept for the U.S. Air Force, showing that dispersed, contested air support units can maintain secure communications across any combination of satellite, radio or low‑power links.

Work on PACE4ACE is being conducted in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Long-range radios used in the test were supplied by the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition in Pensacola, Florida, while high-frequency support was provided by Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, in Ottawa, Canada.

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command under Contract No. FA8750-20-C-0544. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Air Force.

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, non-kinetic domains, 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/rtxs-bbn-technologies-unveils-auto-switching-system-that-keeps-critical-data-alive-302777528.html

SOURCE RTX

FAQ

What is RTX's PACE4ACE system unveiled in May 2026 for RTX (NYSE: RTX)?

PACE4ACE is a self-healing communications system that automatically reroutes data across multiple links in contested environments. According to RTX, it keeps critical combat air support data flowing even when networks are jammed, fragmented or unavailable, using Primary, Alternate, Contingency and Emergency routing.

How does PACE4ACE improve communications resilience for RTX BBN Technologies and the U.S. Air Force?

PACE4ACE improves resilience by automatically switching to the best available waveform when links are disrupted. According to RTX, four dispersed sites remained connected during jamming, maintaining situational awareness and synchronizing Open Mission Systems and Team Awareness Kit applications over satellite, radio and low-power channels.

What technologies and features does PACE4ACE from RTX (RTX) include for contested networks?

PACE4ACE includes multiband support, dynamic real-time routing and compact low-SWaP hardware. According to RTX, it offers plug-and-play integration with common mission systems, resilient self-healing communications, and the ability to operate over satellite links, high-frequency radios and low-power tactical radios in changing conditions.

How does the PACE4ACE demonstration support the Agile Combat Employment concept for the U.S. Air Force?

The demonstration shows dispersed units can maintain secure communications using mixed links under jamming. According to RTX, validating Agile Combat Employment means contested air support units can stay connected across any combination of satellite, radio or low-power links, supporting flexible, distributed operations.

Who funded RTX BBN Technologies' PACE4ACE development and where was the work conducted?

PACE4ACE development was funded by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command. According to RTX, work took place in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with long-range radios from the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition and high-frequency support from Collins Aerospace.