Collins Radio Company

Collins Radio Company
Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Collins Radio Company
Foundation	1933
Founder	Arthur A. Collins
Defunct	1973 (acquired by Rockwell International)
Fate	Divisions absorbed
Industry	Telecommunications, Aerospace
Key people	Arthur A. Collins
Products	HF radios, Avionics, Spacecraft communication systems

Collins Radio Company. Founded in 1933 by pioneering engineer Arthur A. Collins, the company became a global leader in high-frequency radio communication and aerospace electronics. Its equipment was critical for aviation, military operations, and the Space Race, setting industry standards for reliability and innovation. The company's technologies were integral to projects like the Apollo program and its products were used by major entities such as Pan American World Airways and the United States Air Force.

History

The company's origins trace to the amateur radio work of Arthur A. Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. During World War II, it became a vital contractor for the United States Navy and United States Army Air Forces, producing sophisticated HF transceiver systems and direction-finding equipment. The post-war era saw rapid expansion into commercial aviation and international telecommunications, with the establishment of a major manufacturing plant in Dallas, Texas. The 1960s marked its peak as a supplier for NASA, though financial pressures from ambitious projects like the C-System led to its acquisition by Rockwell International in 1973.

Products and technologies

The company was renowned for its high-quality single-sideband modulation HF radios, such as the KWM-2 amateur transceiver and the 51J series for maritime use. In avionics, it developed the first commercially successful airborne radio for general aviation, the Pro Line series, and the FD-108 integrated flight system. Its groundbreaking work in microwave and tropospheric scatter technology enabled long-distance military communication networks for the United States Department of Defense. Key innovations included the Microprocessor-based Avionics Custom IC and digital automatic flight control systems.

Corporate affairs

Headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the company operated major facilities in Dallas, Texas, Newport Beach, California, and Toronto, Ontario. It established a significant international presence through subsidiaries like Collins Radio International and partnerships with ITT Corporation and Northrop Corporation. Leadership under Arthur A. Collins was characterized by a strong engineering culture, though later management under John R. Moore faced challenges with the costly development of the C-System avionics suite. Its acquisition by Rockwell International led to the formation of Rockwell Collins, which continued its legacy in aerospace.

Legacy and impact

The company's engineering excellence set the standard for reliable global communication, influencing generations of avionics and radio design. Its technologies were foundational to the success of the Apollo program, including the Unified S-Band network used for Apollo 11. The Rockwell Collins division, later acquired by United Technologies and now part of RTX Corporation, remains a dominant force in aerospace. The Collins Radio Amateur Radio Club and numerous artifacts in museums like the Smithsonian Institution preserve its historical contributions to telecommunications and space exploration.

Notable projects and contracts

The company provided the complete communication and data systems for the Apollo command and service module and Apollo Lunar Module, a cornerstone of the Apollo program. It developed the ARINC-characterized HF data link system for the Boeing 747 and the C-System for the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar. Major military contracts included the AN/ARC-190 airborne HF radio for the B-52 Stratofortress and communication systems for the SR-71 Blackbird. It also built the extensive White Alice Communications System for the United States Air Force in the Arctic and supplied equipment for the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission.

Category:Defunct telecommunications companies of the United States Category:Avionics manufacturers Category:Companies based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa Category:Rockwell International