RTX Corporation reports aerospace and defense developments across Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney and Raytheon. News commonly covers Collins avionics, commercial aviation radars, satellite and secure communications components, and multi-domain security solutions; Pratt & Whitney commercial and military engine production, including GTF, F135 and F100 programs; and Raytheon defense systems such as SeaRAM, SharpSight radars, missile-warning sensors, air and missile defense, advanced sensors and space-based systems.
Company updates also include earnings releases, backlog and cash-flow commentary, dividend actions, facility investments and production-capacity expansions tied to commercial aerospace and defense demand. Contract announcements and customer program awards provide recurring detail on RTX's role as a supplier to military, civil aviation and allied defense markets.
RTX (NYSE: RTX) has announced that it will release its third quarter 2024 earnings on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, before the stock market opens. The company will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET on the same day to discuss the results. Investors and interested parties can access the conference call via a live webcast on the company's website at www.rtx.com. For those unable to attend the live event, a replay of the call will be made available on the website. Additionally, RTX will provide a downloadable presentation corresponding to the conference call prior to the event.
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, has been awarded a $1.3 billion contract to continue work on the F135 Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) for the F-35 fighter jet. The ECU will enhance engine durability and provide power and cooling for Block 4 and beyond capabilities across all F-35 variants.
Key points:
- The contract enables continued design maturation and aircraft integration
- Over 700 engineers and program managers are working full-time on the program
- The F135 program supports more than 57,000 jobs across 43 states
- Pratt & Whitney has delivered over 1,200 F135 production engines with more than 900,000 flight hours
- The ECU will be incorporated into new F-35s and retrofitted at multiple depot facilities worldwide
Raytheon, an RTX business, has delivered its first sensor payload for the U.S. Space Force's Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) Block 0 missile warning satellite. This delivery to prime contractor Lockheed Martin keeps the project on track for a 2025 initial launch capability. The Next-Gen OPIR GEO satellites aim to enhance missile warning resilience and performance, with two satellites eventually providing continuous coverage over mid-latitudes.
Prior to delivery, Raytheon completed important assessments, including thermal vacuum testing to validate digital models and ensure the sensor meets design requirements. The second sensor payload is over 60% complete and scheduled for thermal vacuum testing in early 2025. These payloads are designed to offer early, resilient warning against increasingly challenging ballistic threats from adversaries.
Raytheon, an RTX business, has secured a $525 million contract from the U.S. Navy to produce ESSM Block 2 missiles and spares for the U.S. and allied nations. The ESSM Block 2 is a short to medium-range, ship-launched, dual-mode guided missile with increased maneuverability and improved performance over its predecessor.
Key features of the ESSM Block 2 include:
- Reduced dependence on shipboard illumination
- Integration with various combat systems and launchers
- Improved performance in stressing marine environments
- Significant digital processing margin for future software improvements
The missile is managed by the NATO SEASPARROW Consortium, comprising 12 nations, and represents over 50 years of international military-industrial cooperation.
Raytheon, an RTX business, has delivered the first AN/TPY-2 radar to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This missile defense radar features a complete Gallium Nitride (GaN) populated array, marking a significant advancement in its capabilities. The GaN technology provides greater sensitivity, increased range, and expanded surveillance capacity.
The upgraded AN/TPY-2 radar includes more than 50 enhancements, improving Saudi Arabia's missile defense capabilities. Operating in the X-band of the electromagnetic spectrum, it can distinguish between actual threats and non-threat objects. In Terminal mode, the radar directly communicates with the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.
Latvian airline airBaltic and Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, have announced a long-term EngineWise™ Comprehensive maintenance services agreement for airBaltic's GTF engine fleet. The 17-year per-engine agreement links maintenance costs to engine utilization and provides greater transparency in planning and costs. This deal supports airBaltic's growth plans towards a 100 Airbus A220-300 fleet by 2030.
airBaltic, the global launch operator of the Airbus A220-300, has experienced a 25% reduction in fuel burn per seat with the PW1500G GTF engines compared to previous generations. The agreement aims to optimize fleet performance as airBaltic expands its route network, while maintaining a focus on fuel efficiency, lower carbon emissions, and reduced noise footprint.
Collins Aerospace, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, has received the first-ever FAA Technical Standard Order (TSO) approval for a fully enabled multi-core processor. The Collins Multifunction Display, powered by Mosarc™, will increase cockpit processing power by 75% compared to traditional single core processors. This certification allows for simultaneous use of all processing cores across all Design Assurance Level (DAL) standards.
Key benefits include:
- 12 times faster data processing
- 40% less power consumption
- Integration of multiple operating systems
- Rapid third-party integration
- Reduced certification time for new capabilities
The display has completed over 6,000 hours of flight tests and is optimized for rotary-wing, fighter, bomber, and trainer environments.
Raytheon, an RTX business, has been awarded a Navy ManTech project by Penn State University's Applied Research Laboratory to streamline the production of SPY-6 Transmit/Receive (TR) modules. The project aims to implement manufacturing advancements such as automation, new material sources, and process yield improvements, which are expected to reduce production costs for the U.S. Navy across the SPY-6 radar's life cycle.
SPY-6 is the Navy's family of radars that provides 360-degree integrated air and missile defense for various ship classes. The modular construction of SPY-6 variants, using common hardware and software, enhances reliability and reduces maintenance costs. New SPY-6 radio frequency TR modules are anticipated to be delivered in 2026-2027.
Raytheon (RTX) and Northrop Grumman (NOC) completed a successful static fire test of an advanced long-range solid rocket motor on Sept. 12, 2024 at Northrop Grumman Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in West Virginia.
The test demonstrated wired end-burning technology for hypersonic applications, produced data to support digital modeling and simulations, and validated the design maturity and performance of the motor. Teams used model-based systems engineering and digital engineering to accelerate design and development.
The companies said the test supports extended range over conventional motors and advances timelines for delivering propulsion capability to military customers.
Raytheon, an RTX business, and Northrop Grumman have successfully completed a static fire test of an advanced long-range solid rocket motor in West Virginia. The test demonstrated wired end-burning technology for hypersonic applications and validated the design maturity and performance of the rocket motor. Both companies leveraged their digital engineering expertise to accelerate development using model-based systems engineering.
This milestone proves the significant capability of the solid rocket motor and demonstrates the ability to meet requirements for challenging long-range fires kill chains. The wired end-burning technology provides extended range over conventional rocket motors, pushing the boundaries on next-generation propulsion technology. This collaboration aims to deliver capability to servicemen and women on an accelerated schedule.