Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX, will invest $200 million to expand its manufacturing facility in Columbus, Georgia, adding advanced equipment to increase production for both military and commercial engine programs.
The funding will support the installation of a seventh isothermal forging press, scheduled to become operational in 2028. The new press will manufacture key rotating compressor and turbine disks and is expected to raise output of these components by roughly 30 percent. The expansion will benefit several programs, including the geared turbofan (GTF) family and the F135 fighter engine.
This move follows a separate $70 million upgrade at the nearby Columbus Engine Center, where 81,000 square feet of space was added for maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities, boosting GTF service capacity by 25 percent.
Supporting Growing Demand
Situated about 90 miles south of Atlanta, the Columbus facility supports both commercial aviation and defense programs. It services GTF engines powering the Airbus A320neo, Airbus A220, and Embraer E-Jets E2, while also maintaining F117 and F100 engines used in the C-17 Globemaster III, F-15 Eagle, and F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Columbus Forge additionally manufactures compressor airfoils and turbine disks for multiple engine lines, including the F135 that powers the F-35 Lightning II.
The investment comes as demand rises for narrowbody aircraft and long-term sustainment services. More than 2,600 GTF-powered aircraft have been delivered worldwide, and over 1,300 F135 engines have been built for global F-35 customers. Since 2008, the Columbus site has attracted more than $1 billion in cumulative investment and employs over 2,600 personnel.
