RTX's Pratt & Whitney broadens manufacturing capabilities with $200 million investment in Columbus, Georgia

Rhea-AI Summary

Pratt & Whitney (NYSE: RTX) is investing $200 million to add a seventh isothermal forging press at its Columbus Forge in Columbus, Georgia, expanding output of rotating compressor and turbine disks by 30%. The new press is expected online in 2028 and supports GTF, F135 and other engine programs.

This follows a recent $70 million, 81,000-square-foot GTF MRO expansion that increased annual capacity by more than 25%. The Columbus campus employs over 2,600 people and the company says it has invested over $1 billion in Columbus since 2008.

Positive

• $200M investment to add a seventh isothermal forging press
• Expected 30% increase in critical disk output
• New press to support key programs: GTF and F135
• $70M GTF MRO expansion increased capacity by >25%
• Columbus campus employs over 2,600 staff

Negative

• New isothermal press not expected operational until 2028, delaying capacity benefits

News Market Reaction – RTX

-1.71%

1 alert

-1.71% News Effect

On the day this news was published, RTX declined 1.71%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Columbus investment: $200 million Isothermal presses: 7 presses Output increase: 30% +5 more

8 metrics

Columbus investment $200 million New Pratt & Whitney expansion in Columbus, Georgia

Isothermal presses 7 presses Addition of seventh isothermal forging press at Columbus Forge

Output increase 30% Expected increase in output of rotating compressor and turbine disks

Operational date 2028 New isothermal forging press expected to be operational

GTF MRO expansion $70 million Recent GTF MRO expansion at Columbus Engine Center

MRO capacity increase 25%+ Annual capacity increase at Columbus Engine Center from expansion

Cumulative Columbus investment $1 billion+ Total invested in Columbus facility since 2008

GTF-powered aircraft 2,600+ aircraft Delivered to more than 90 customers worldwide

Market Reality Check

Price: $195.98 Vol: Volume 4,549,183 is below...

low vol

$195.98 Last Close

Volume Volume 4,549,183 is below the 20-day average of 6,887,785, suggesting muted pre-news activity. low

Technical Price at $201.92 remains above the 200-day MA of $165.33 and about 2.3% below the 52-week high of $206.73.

Peers on Argus

RTX was down 1.46% while key peers were mixed: BA (-0.46%), GD (-0.96%), versus ...

RTX was down 1.46% while key peers were mixed: BA (-0.46%), GD (-0.96%), versus LMT (+0.76%), HWM (+0.37%), NOC (+0.57%). This points to stock-specific dynamics rather than a unified sector move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 20 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 20	Autonomy test flight	Positive	+0.1%	Sidekick autonomy software completed four-hour autonomous YFQ-42A test flight.
Feb 20	Weapon approval	Positive	+0.1%	U.S. Navy approved StormBreaker smart weapon for Super Hornet operational use.
Feb 17	Product recognition	Positive	+1.7%	Collins Aerospace named Crystal Cabin Award finalist for SkyNook suite.
Feb 17	Supply-chain contract	Positive	+1.7%	Contract to develop domestic thin film lithium niobate wafer production.
Feb 11	Counter-drone success	Positive	+0.7%	Coyote Block 3NK non-kinetic system defeated multiple drone swarms in exercise.

Pattern Detected

Recent RTX news items have generally been followed by small positive price reactions, suggesting steady but modest market responses to operational and contract updates.

Recent Company History

Over the past weeks, RTX has highlighted several defense and aerospace milestones, including autonomy software flights, smart weapon approvals, supply-chain strengthening for critical materials, and counter‑drone system performance. These updates, dated between Feb 11–20, 2026, produced modestly positive next‑day moves between 0.09% and 1.72%. Compared with those technology and contract wins, today’s $200 million Pratt & Whitney manufacturing expansion continues the theme of incremental capability build‑out and industrial capacity ramp across RTX’s portfolio.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf

Shelf Active

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-09-18

RTX has an effective S-3ASR shelf registration dated 2025-09-18, allowing it to offer various securities via future prospectus supplements. No usage has been recorded in the recent 424B activity provided.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details a $200 million Pratt & Whitney investment in Columbus, Georgia, adding a s...

Analysis

This announcement details a $200 million Pratt & Whitney investment in Columbus, Georgia, adding a seventh isothermal forging press and targeting a 30% increase in critical engine-part output by 2028. It follows a $70 million GTF MRO expansion that lifted capacity by over 25%. In recent months RTX has repeatedly showcased capability and infrastructure upgrades. Investors may watch how these projects translate into utilization, margins, and future capital deployment decisions under the existing registration framework.

Key Terms

isothermal forging press, MRO, Industry 4.0

3 terms

isothermal forging press technical

"adding a seventh isothermal forging press at its Columbus Forge facility"

An isothermal forging press is a heavy-duty industrial machine that shapes metal while keeping the tool and workpiece at the same controlled temperature, like pressing warm clay so it stays soft and predictable. For investors, it signals a production capability that yields stronger, more precise parts with fewer defects, which can lower scrap, shorten lead times and support higher-value contracts in sectors such as aerospace and automotive.

MRO technical

"following $70M GTF MRO expansion"

MRO stands for Maintenance, Repair, and Operations, referring to the supplies and services companies provide to keep machinery, buildings, and infrastructure functioning smoothly. These essentials are vital for ongoing business activities, much like routine car maintenance keeps a vehicle running reliably. Investors pay attention to MRO companies because their performance reflects the health of industries that rely heavily on regular upkeep and support services.

Industry 4.0 technical

"added advanced equipment and machinery that align with the company's Industry 4.0 strategy"

Industry 4.0 is the next phase of manufacturing and business processes that emphasizes the use of advanced digital technology, such as automation, data exchange, and smart systems, to improve efficiency and flexibility. It is like upgrading a factory from manual tools to a highly interconnected, intelligent network that can adapt quickly to changes. For investors, embracing Industry 4.0 signals potential opportunities in innovative companies and sectors leading this technological transformation.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Company adding seventh isothermal forging press to support commercial and military programs following $70M GTF MRO expansion

COLUMBUS, Ga., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, is investing $200 million to expand the capabilities and footprint of its Columbus, Georgia, operations, which support commercial and military engine programs. With this new investment, Pratt & Whitney is adding a seventh isothermal forging press at its Columbus Forge facility. This addition is expected to increase output of critical parts, such as rotating compressor and turbine disks, by 30% to support GTF, F135 and other engine programs. The isothermal forging press is expected to become operational in 2028.

The latest investment at the Columbus Forge facility follows an 81,000-square-foot GTF MRO expansion at Pratt & Whitney's Columbus Engine Center, located on the same campus. This $70 million expansion added advanced equipment and machinery that align with the company's Industry 4.0 strategy. The facility's annual capacity increased by more than 25%, adding critical overhaul volume to the GTF MRO network in support of the growing fleet.

"Over the past four decades and with the support of the Columbus community, state and Governor, Pratt & Whitney's presence in Georgia has grown from a small manufacturing facility to a state-of-the-art manufacturing and overhaul center, employing over 2,600 dedicated people focused on our mission: to connect and protect our world," said Pratt & Whitney President Shane Eddy. "Since 2008, we have invested more than $1 billion to continue expanding the footprint and capabilities of our Columbus facility. This latest investment will increase output of critical parts for our growing military and commercial engine programs and underscores our ongoing commitment to ramp industrial capacity to support our customers."

"Pratt & Whitney's decision to invest in Georgia immediately after just completing another major expansion is an incredible testament to how companies that operate in our state find reliable, ongoing and long-term success," said Governor Brian Kemp. "Throughout its more than forty years in Columbus, Pratt & Whitney has been a valued partner and driver of the impact our aerospace industry is delivering statewide. We're grateful that this partnership will only continue to grow and flourish, benefiting this cutting-edge job creator, the people of Columbus and all of Georgia."

The Pratt & Whitney Columbus, Georgia site is located about 90 miles south of Atlanta and is comprised of the Columbus Engine Center and Columbus Forge. The Columbus Engine Center maintains Pratt & Whitney GTF engines for the Airbus A320neo aircraft family, Airbus A220 and Embraer E-Jets E2, along with F117 and F100 military engines for the C-17 transport, and F-15/F-16 fighters, respectively. Columbus Forge produces compressor airfoils, and compressor and turbine disks for Pratt & Whitney's commercial and military engines, including the GTF and F135, which powers the 5^th Generation F-35 Lightning II fighter.

The GTF is the most fuel-efficient engine for the single aisle market. To date, more than 2,600 GTF-powered aircraft have been delivered to over 90 customers worldwide. The F135, which powers all three variants of the F-35 Lightning II, is the safest, most capable and reliable fighter engine. To date, Pratt & Whitney has delivered more than 1,300 F135 production engines to a global enterprise that includes 20 allied nations around the world.

About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units for military, commercial and civil aviation customers. Since 1925, our engineers have pioneered the development of revolutionary aircraft propulsion technologies, and today we support more than 90,000 in-service engines through our global network of maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities.

About RTX
With more than 180,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. With industry-leading capabilities, we advance aviation, engineer integrated defense systems for operational success, and develop next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2025 sales of more than $88 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact corporatepr@rtx.com.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rtxs-pratt--whitney-broadens-manufacturing-capabilities-with-200-million-investment-in-columbus-georgia-302695654.html

SOURCE RTX

FAQ

What is RTX (Pratt & Whitney) investing in Columbus, Georgia for 2026?

RTX is investing $200 million to add a seventh isothermal forging press at Columbus Forge. According to the company, the expansion aims to boost production of compressor and turbine disks for GTF, F135 and other engine programs.

How much will disk output increase from Pratt & Whitney's Columbus expansion (RTX)?

The company expects disk output to rise by 30% after the new press is installed. According to the company, that increase will support commercial GTF engines and military F135 production across multiple programs.

When will the new Columbus isothermal forging press for RTX become operational?

The new isothermal forging press is expected to be operational in 2028. According to the company, the multi-year timeline reflects installation and commissioning for high-precision forging capacity.

How does the $200M expansion relate to Pratt & Whitney's recent $70M MRO work in Columbus (RTX)?

The $200M forging investment builds on a recent $70M GTF MRO expansion that increased capacity by >25%. According to the company, both projects together expand overhaul and parts production on the Columbus campus.

What engine programs will benefit from RTX's Columbus investment announced Feb 24, 2026?

The investment will support Pratt & Whitney's GTF and F135 engine programs and other commercial and military engines. According to the company, the added forging capacity targets rotating compressor and turbine disk production for those programs.