RTX's Collins Aerospace to Expand Iowa Engine Component Plant

RTX (NYSE: RTX) announced on Tuesday that its Collins Aerospace unit will undertake a major expansion of its aircraft engine component facility in West Des Moines, Iowa. The project will add 14,000 square feet to the site to increase manufacturing output in response to growing demand.

Investment to Boost Capacity

According to the company's statement, the project represents a multi-million-dollar investment, though a specific figure was not disclosed. The expansion is designed to meet rising customer orders for critical aircraft parts.

Construction is scheduled to begin later this month, with an expected completion date by the middle of next year. This development follows a separate $14 million, 9,000-square-foot expansion that Collins Aerospace completed at another West Des Moines facility in 2023, which focused on increasing metal 3D printing capabilities.

Impact on Operations

The facility is a key production site for components used in both commercial and military aircraft. Its primary products include:

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• Fuel distribution systems
• Engine nozzle components

The plant currently ships more than 25,000 engine nozzles per month. The site employs approximately 300 full-time workers, and Collins Aerospace plans to add more jobs by the end of the year and continue hiring into 2027 to support the increased capacity.

Market Context

This expansion signals continued investment by RTX in its aerospace manufacturing infrastructure to address a robust demand environment in the commercial and defense aviation sectors. RTX, based in Arlington, Virginia, is a major contractor producing aircraft engines, missile systems, and air-defense technologies for a global customer base.