RTX Corporation - RTX STOCK NEWS

RTX's Raytheon business announced 28 successful tests of its StormBreaker® smart weapon in 2023, including a 100% success rate on 14 planned jettisons from the F-35C. The tests involved four separate platforms across three U.S. military services. StormBreaker is an air-launched, precision-strike standoff weapon capable of defeating moving and fixed targets in adverse weather conditions.

Key features of StormBreaker include:

• Tri-mode seeker using infrared and millimeter wave radar
• Two-way datalink communications for in-flight target updates
• Ability to operate in fog, smoke, and rain
• Network-enabled capabilities for enhanced survivability

Cebu Pacific (CEB) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Airbus and Pratt & Whitney for the purchase of up to 152 A321neo aircraft, valued at approximately $24 billion. This marks the largest aircraft order in Philippine aviation history. The agreement includes firm orders for up to 102 A321neo and 50 A320neo family purchase rights, all powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines.

CEB's CEO, Michael Szucs, emphasized the order's flexibility in adapting to market changes and supporting the airline's mission to make air travel more accessible. Airbus and Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, expressed gratitude for CEB's confidence in their products. The purchase agreement is expected to be finalized in Q3 2024.

Raytheon UK, in collaboration with Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), has successfully tested the High-Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) on a British Army Wolfhound armoured vehicle. This marks the first test of its kind in the UK, representing a significant advancement in the Land Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) Demonstrator programme. The HELWS, designed to counter NATO class 1 drones, demonstrates the UK's progress in adopting laser technology for military applications.

The integration of HELWS with the Wolfhound vehicle combines Raytheon's proven technology with UK intellectual property from various British SMEs. This milestone underscores the UK's commitment to enhancing its defence capabilities and fostering technological innovation in the face of evolving drone warfare threats.

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, announced that SMBC Aviation Capital has exercised options for 22 firm orders of GTF-powered A320neo family aircraft. This is in addition to a 2021 order for 20 aircraft, bringing SMBC's total commitment to 42 firm A320neo family aircraft with GTF engines. SMBC Aviation Capital, one of the largest lessors for GTF-powered A320neo family aircraft, initially selected 50 firm aircraft in 2019 and currently manages a portfolio of 142 GTF-powered A320neo family aircraft. The announcement reinforces the relationship between these two global aviation leaders, highlighting the economic and environmental benefits of the GTF engines for airline customers.

RTX (NYSE: RTX) has completed the preliminary design review for a hybrid-electric propulsion demonstrator engine as part of the SWITCH project, supported by the European Union's Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking. The system combines two Collins Aerospace megawatt-class electric motor generators within a Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine, aiming to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions for future short- and medium-range aircraft.

The SWITCH project involves collaboration between MTU Aero Engines AG, Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, and Airbus. Testing of the electric powertrain will occur at Collins' facility, The Grid, in Rockford, IL, before full-scale GTF demonstrator engine assembly and testing. This initiative is part of RTX's broader technology roadmap for sustainable aviation, which includes other demonstrator programs like STEP-Tech and the RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator.

RTX's Pratt & Whitney Canada and Collins Aerospace have been chosen by Airbus Helicopters to develop a hybrid-electric propulsion system for the PioneerLab technology demonstrator. Based on an H145 helicopter, the project aims to achieve up to 30% improved fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions compared to conventional models.

The system will combine a Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210 engine derivative with two Collins Aerospace 250 kW electric motors and controllers through a common gearbox. Test flights are scheduled to begin in 2027 in Donauwörth, Germany. The project is supported by Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Actions and the UK's Aerospace Technology Institute.

RTX has achieved a significant milestone in developing its hybrid-electric STEP-Tech demonstrator, validating sustained operation of key components and energy transfer through a high-voltage electrical network. The STEP-Tech program aims to prototype distributed propulsion concepts in the 100-500kW class, scalable to 1MW+, for various next-generation aircraft platforms.

The company has successfully tested the battery system's ability to start the thermal engine and use electrical power from the turbogenerator to charge propulsor motor batteries. These tests were conducted at RTX's Technology Research Center in East Hartford, Connecticut, featuring an 800-volt electrical architecture for aerospace applications.

RTX's hybrid-electric initiatives, including STEP-Tech, position the company to offer advanced propulsion technologies for improved fuel efficiency across various aircraft segments, supporting the aviation industry's goals of reduced carbon emissions and sustainable flight.

Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, announced that the European Union's Clean Aviation HECATE project has achieved Preliminary Design Review (PDR). The HECATE consortium, comprising multiple European aerospace industry partners, aims to develop new high-voltage distribution technologies for future hybrid-electric aircraft. Key achievements include:

• PDR completion for power conversion and secondary distribution systems by Collins
• PDR completion for primary distribution, power management systems, and cabling by Safran
• Definition of top-level project requirements and electrical distribution architecture
• On track to achieve TRL4 and Critical Design Review by year-end

The project targets demonstrating a 500kW hybrid-electric architecture in ground tests at TRL5 by 2025. This initiative is important for developing technologies to support higher voltages required for hybrid-electric aircraft, contributing to the aviation industry's efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, and SR Technics have announced the induction of the first Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine at SR Technics' Zurich-based facility. This marks SR Technics as the 17th active facility in the growing GTF MRO network. The Swiss shop will provide full disassembly, assembly, and test capability for the PW1100G-JM engine used in the Airbus A320neo aircraft family.

This expansion is part of Pratt & Whitney's commitment to increase GTF MRO capacity to support growing aftermarket demand. In 2023, the company announced three GTF MRO facility expansions and six shop activations. SR Technics, which joined the network in 2022, is the seventh facility in Europe.