RTX subsidiary Pratt & Whitney has broken ground on a $100-million center in Rzeszów, Poland, to expand manufacturing capacity for military aircraft engines.
Announced in April, the infrastructure will address the surge in global demand for the company’s proprietary F135 engines that power the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, as well as the F100 system dedicated to the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon airframes.
The site augments 6,500 square meters (69,965 square feet) of space to an existing complex in the region.
Currently, the industrial site handles production and technology development for power plants, fan drive gears, turboprops, and auxiliary power units in support of defense and commercial users.
The location also builds other propulsion system types for rotary-wing aircraft, business jets, and civilian passenger platforms, including the PT6, PW200, PW500/600, and PW800 families.
$200M in Local, Overseas Investments
According to RTX, the latest move in Europe is the largest investment and workforce employment the organization has launched outside the continental US, adding to approximately 9,500 existing personnel across its Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon, and Collins Aerospace segments in the country.
It also compounds a broader $200-million investment launched in February for RTX’s seventh isothermal foreign press at Pratt & Whitney’s plant in Columbus, Georgia.
Combined with the southeastern Polish factory, the new assets are expected to yield a 30-percent increase in the output of critical engine components, including rotating compressors and turbine disks.
Both the Rzeszów and Georgia facilities are scheduled to reach operational capability in 2028.
“Six months ago, we were talking about this investment as a plan and an opportunity to strengthen Poland’s position as a strategic center of excellence for Pratt & Whitney,” said Piotr Owsicki, general manager for Rzeszów at Pratt & Whitney.
“Today, we begin turning that plan into reality. Through strong collaboration across our teams and our shared commitment to delivering for our customers, we are breaking ground on a new Rzeszów facility that will expand our ability to develop highly advanced capabilities and technologies.”
