Airlines weigh costly ADS-B upgrades after deadly Black Hawk collision

Some U.S. airlines are considering installing ADS-B In collision-avoidance systems before Congress decides whether to mandate them. The technology, which complements the already required ADS-B Out system, gives pilots real-time cockpit displays of nearby aircraft and has gained attention after the January 2025 collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter that killed 67 people. Acron Technologies, which has equipped American Airlines’ single-aisle Airbus fleet, says it is discussing potential orders with most major U.S. carriers, while the Air Line Pilots Association supports a nationwide requirement. However, some airlines may delay investments because upgrades cost tens of thousands of dollars per aircraft and could create additional expenses if federal rules later require different equipment; related runway-collision technology from Honeywell is also expected to advance by late 2026.