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

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

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BBN Technologies, a subsidiary of RTX (NYSE: RTX), has unveiled a groundbreaking self-healing system that guarantees continuous and secure data flow for combat air support, even amid network disruptions such as jamming or fragmentation. This innovation, funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory, is crucial for maintaining operational effectiveness.

The PACE4ACE system is engineered to function across various military and commercial communication avenues, from satellite connections to low-power tactical radios. It employs the Primary, Alternate, Contingency and Emergency for Agile Combat Employment (PACE4ACE) architecture to intelligently select the most effective communication link and autonomously reroute traffic without needing operator intervention.

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

During recent exercises, four geographically separated sites maintained connectivity. Whenever high-capacity links experienced jamming, the system promptly switched to the next available waveform, ensuring that situational awareness remained intact and that applications such as Open Mission Systems and Team Awareness Kit continued to remain synchronized.

The PACE4ACE system showcases several advanced features designed to improve operational reliability and efficiency:

• Resilient, self-healing communications that ensure continuity if a link is disrupted.
• Compact, low SWaP architecture suitable for space- and power-constrained environments.
• Multiband support allowing the use of various communication channels.
• Plug-and-play integration that simplifies setup with common mission systems.
• Dynamic, real-time routing that maintains performance as conditions fluctuate.

This demonstration validates the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) strategy for the U.S. Air Force, showing that dispersed units operating in contested airspace can sustain secure communications across multiple types of links, including satellite, radio, and low-power channels.

The development of PACE4ACE is taking place in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The long-range radios utilized in the testing phase were provided by the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition located in Pensacola, Florida, while Collins Aerospace, a business unit of RTX, supplied the high-frequency support from Ottawa, Canada.

This research and development has been conducted with the backing of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command under Contract No. FA8750-20-C-0544. The insights and conclusions presented in this report are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Air Force.

About RTX BBN Technologies
Founded in 1948, BBN Technologies specializes in advanced technology research and development, focusing on national security priorities. From early innovations like ARPANET and the first email system to pioneering quantum cryptography, BBN is committed to translating cutting-edge research into practical solutions for clients. The firm embraces risks and challenges conventions to develop innovations in analytics, machine intelligence, non-kinetic domains, intelligent software and systems, and physical sciences.

About RTX
With over 180,000 employees globally, RTX strives to push the boundaries of technology and science. The company redefines how the world is connected and protected through industry-leading advancements in aviation, integrated defense systems, and next-generation technology solutions. RTX is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia and reported sales exceeding $88 billion in 2025.

For inquiries or to arrange an interview, please contact [email protected]

SOURCE RTX

Source: RTX (Raytheon) (2026-05-20 13:00:00)