Davids Celebrates Major Expansion of Aviation Communication Systems Manufacturing in Kansas, Supporting 200 Jobs

OLATHE, KS — Today, Representative Sharice Davids participated in a “Sharice’s Shift” at Indra Group USA’s new manufacturing hub in Olathe, where she helped assemble one of their first NextComm radios, communication systems used between pilots and air traffic controllers. She was joined by Kansas Deputy Secretary of Business Development Joshua Jefferson as they highlighted the company’s expanded investment in Kansas manufacturing, innovation, and workforce.

“Kansas has always been a leader in aerospace and advanced manufacturing, and that legacy comes with real responsibility,” said Davids. “After the recent plane collision that took Kansans’ lives, it’s impossible to ignore what happens when communication systems fail in the air. Pilots and controllers need tools they can rely on every second to keep people safe while in the sky. I’m immensely proud to see those systems being built right here in Kansas, creating good-paying jobs while making aviation safer where it matters most.”

Indra Group USA’s new 118,000-square-foot facility at the Great Plains Commerce Center represents a $50 million investment in Kansas for advanced manufacturing of aviation communication, navigation, and surveillance systems. The expansion is expected to create more than 200 high-quality jobs over the next three years, tripling the company’s local workforce and complementing its existing 40,000-square-foot facility in Overland Park.

The Olathe hub will produce next-generation air traffic surveillance radars for the Federal Aviation Administration, along with more than 20,000 NextComm radios and portable Tactical Air Navigation (MP-TACAN) systems for the U.S. Air Force, supporting both aviation safety and national security. The NextComm radios enable clear, secure communication between pilots and air traffic controllers to help guide aircraft safely in the air and on the ground.

In January 2025, Flight 5342 departed Wichita, KS, bound for Washington, D.C. As the flight approached its destination, it collided midair with a military training helicopter, tragically killing the two pilots, two flight attendants, and 60 passengers on the airplane, along with all three crew members aboard the helicopter. Aviation safety experts found that communication missteps played a role in this tragedy.

"Our new Center of Excellence is a massive economic driver for the region, anchored by a $50 million investment,” said Bill Colligan, CEO, Indra Air Traffic. “In the upcoming years we will triple our local workforce by creating more than 200 new, high-quality jobs right here in Kansas. Rep. Davids' unwavering support of the NEXCOM radio replacement program has been instrumental in ensuring that a significant portion of the $12.5 B in funds allocated by Congress towards the Brand New Air Traffic Control System are deployed to create jobs in the third district. We are relying on this exceptional local talent to operate advanced manufacturing processes, build critical communication, navigation, and surveillance systems, and ultimately modernize U.S. airspace infrastructure." 

“Kansas has long been a leader in aviation, and Indra’s expansion in Olathe further strengthens our position as a hub for aerospace innovation and advanced manufacturing," said Joshua Jefferson, Deputy Secretary of Business Development, Kansas Department of Commerce. "This investment means high-quality jobs for Kansans, but it also means Kansas workers will help modernize critical air traffic infrastructure that supports the safety and efficiency of America’s skies. We’re proud Indra chose Kansas for its next chapter.”

In April 2026, Indra was also awarded a $75.9 million contract by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for its Fare Vending Machine Replacement Project, with machines to be built in Kansas. Davids wrote a letter of support for the company’s application, underscoring her commitment to expanding local manufacturing and good-paying jobs at home.

Davids’ office has also provided direct casework support to Indra, helping expedite critical document authentication through the U.S. Department of State. That assistance enabled the company to secure payment tied to a $1.8 million international project after delays and processing issues within the Office of Authentications.

Indra’s new expansion also represents a broader long-term commitment in Kansas, with a potential contract value of up to $244.3 million and plans to manufacture as many as 46,000 radio units if all options are exercised, supported by a 10-year warranty that underscores confidence in both the technology and the Kansas workforce. The NextComm radios are based on Indra’s globally used Park Air technology and now being produced in Kansas through this facility’s production line.