RTX subsidiary Pratt & Whitney is committing $200 million to expand its Columbus, Georgia, production facility, strengthening capacity for both defense and commercial propulsion systems.
The project includes adding a seventh isothermal forging press, slated for completion in 2028, to manufacture essential rotating compressor and turbine disks. The additional equipment is projected to lift production of these components by about 30 percent, supporting engine programs such as the GTF series and the F135 fighter engine.
The announcement follows a recent $70 million expansion of the adjacent Columbus Engine Center, which added 81,000 square feet dedicated to maintenance, repair, and overhaul work, increasing GTF servicing capacity by a quarter.
Expanding Industrial Capability
Located roughly 90 miles south of Atlanta, the Columbus facility plays a key role in sustaining both commercial fleets and military aircraft. It overhauls GTF engines used on the Airbus A320neo, Airbus A220, and Embraer E-Jets E2, and services F117 and F100 engines powering platforms such as the C-17 Globemaster III, F-15 Eagle, and F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Columbus Forge also produces compressor airfoils and turbine disks for various propulsion systems, including the F135 engine that drives the F-35 Lightning II.
The expansion aligns with increasing global demand for narrowbody jets and ongoing engine sustainment requirements. To date, more than 2,600 aircraft equipped with GTF engines have entered service worldwide, while over 1,300 F135 engines have been delivered to international F-35 operators. The Columbus site employs more than 2,600 people and has received upwards of $1 billion in total investment since 2008.
