RTX’s Collins Aerospace has officially opened its newly expanded manufacturing facility in Tajęcina, Poland. According to a company press release issued on June 2, 2026, the $69 million investment is designed to increase the facility’s production capacity for commercial and defense landing gear systems by nearly 25%.

The expansion is expected to create approximately 190 new jobs this year, reinforcing Poland’s growing role as a critical hub for global aerospace and defense manufacturing. The Tajęcina site, which originally established operations in 2012, plays a vital role in supplying high-performance components to manufacturers worldwide.

We note that this development is part of a broader strategic expansion by RTX in the region. It follows a recently announced $100 million investment by Pratt & Whitney in nearby Rzeszów, highlighting a concerted effort by the aerospace giant to address rising industry demand and alleviate ongoing supply-chain constraints.

Details of the Tajęcina Expansion

Boosting Landing Gear Production

The $69 million capital investment funded a 4,000 square-meter addition, bringing the total footprint of the Tajęcina manufacturing facility to 22,000 square meters. Construction for the new addition began in November 2024 and recently concluded, according to the company’s statements.

The Tajęcina site, alongside a sister facility in Krosno, produces and supports main, nose, and wing landing gear assemblies. These advanced systems are constructed with high-strength metals to withstand harsh environments and are integrated with steering, braking, and control systems designed to improve overall aircraft performance and reduce maintenance needs.

“Collins is making a long-term investment in both the local workforce and the future of aerospace in the broader Poland ecosystem,” stated Matt Maurer, Vice President and General Manager of Landing Systems at Collins Aerospace, in the press release.

Maurer further noted that the expansion builds on the foundation established in 2012, significantly increasing critical production capacity and strengthening the company’s ability to deliver dependable systems to global customers.

RTX’s Growing Footprint in Poland

A Strategic European Hub

Poland currently represents RTX’s largest employee base and investment footprint outside of the United States. The corporation employs over 9,400 people across its Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon businesses within the country. RTX has maintained operations in Poland for over 50 years and currently runs nine major facilities dedicated to engineering, manufacturing, maintenance, and research and development.

Parallel Pratt & Whitney Investment

Complementing the Collins Aerospace expansion, RTX’s Pratt & Whitney business announced a $100 million investment in April 2026 to expand its own facility in Rzeszów. This parallel project will fund a new facility for processing isothermally forged parts, including heat treatment and sonic machining capabilities.

Expected to be fully operational by 2028, the Rzeszów expansion will boost the output of critical engine components, such as rotating compressor and turbine disks for GTF, F135, and F100 engines, by 30%.

“Expanding our presence in Poland allows us to build the strategic capabilities needed to produce key technologies for advanced commercial and military aircraft engines,” said Piotr Owsicki, General Manager of Pratt & Whitney in Rzeszów.

AirPro News analysis

We view these concurrent investments by RTX as a direct and necessary response to the ongoing supply chain bottlenecks that have challenged commercial-aircraft manufacturers and defense contractors in recent years. Expanding industrial capacity in Eastern Europe is a strategic maneuver to execute backlogged programs and drive future revenue growth.

Furthermore, the alignment of these investments with a strong rebound in commercial aviation and increased European military spending underscores Poland’s emergence as a premier aerospace and defense manufacturing ecosystem. The region offers a highly skilled workforce and strategic proximity to key European allies, making it an ideal location for long-term aerospace infrastructure development.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many jobs will the Collins Aerospace expansion create?

According to the RTX press release, the expansion in Tajęcina is projected to create approximately 190 new local jobs in 2026.

What is the total investment by RTX in these recent Polish expansions?

RTX has invested $69 million in the Collins Aerospace facility in Tajęcina and announced an additional $100 million investment for the Pratt & Whitney facility in Rzeszów.

What products are manufactured at the Tajęcina facility?

The facility produces main, nose, and wing landing gear assemblies for both commercial and defense aircraft programs.

Sources

• RTX Press Release

JAL and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Launch “Aero Breath” to Tackle Surging Aircraft Maintenance Demand

On June 1, 2026, JAL Engineering Co., Ltd. (JALEC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) officially launched a new joint venture named Aero Breath Co., Ltd. According to the official press release, the new enterprise will focus on the aircraft aftermarket business, specifically targeting the airframe maintenance of regional Commercial-Aircraft.

The newly formed company is headquartered at Aichi Prefectural Nagoya Airport in Toyoyama-cho, Aichi Prefecture. It operates with a starting capital of JPY 79 million and is led by President and CEO Taro Matoba. Ownership is split strategically between the two aviation giants, with JALEC holding a 51% majority stake and MHI retaining the remaining 49%.

Pending necessary permits and regulatory approvals, Aero Breath plans to commence its regional aircraft maintenance services within the 2026 fiscal year. The venture’s primary objective is to combine the operational expertise of a major Airlines with advanced engineering capabilities to significantly reduce aircraft ground time amid surging global maintenance demands.

Strategic Partnership and Operational Goals

The foundation for Aero Breath was laid nearly two years ago. On August 27, 2024, JAL and MHI signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore potential collaborations in the aircraft aftermarket. Both companies recognized that the recovery in global passenger traffic was placing unprecedented strain on existing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) infrastructures.

By merging JALEC’s day-to-day airline maintenance know-how with MHI’s heavy manufacturing and aerospace engineering background, the joint venture aims to streamline complex workflows and get aircraft back into service faster.

According to the joint venture’s strategic outlines, a core objective of Aero Breath is to “minimize aircraft ground time” to alleviate the severe MRO backlogs currently plaguing the aviation industry.

Leveraging Regional Expertise

MHI brings substantial technical infrastructure and historical context to the table. In 2020, the company acquired the CRJ (Canadair Regional Jet) program from Bombardier, establishing MHIRJ. This acquisition provided MHI with deep intellectual property, maintenance frameworks, and customer support capabilities for regional aircraft, aligning perfectly with Aero Breath’s stated mission.

Addressing the Global MRO Crunch

The launch of Aero Breath comes at a critical time for the aviation sector. Industry estimates project that global aircraft MRO demand will reach $156 billion over the next decade. Airlines are currently grappling with supply chain constraints and delays in new aircraft deliveries, forcing them to keep older planes in service longer than originally planned.

This dynamic directly increases the need for heavy maintenance and parts supply. Furthermore, the industry faces a structural shortage of available maintenance slots and a global deficit of certificated aircraft mechanics, leading to extended “Aircraft on Ground” (AOG) events where planes sit idle waiting for repairs.

AirPro News analysis

We view the establishment of Aero Breath as a highly targeted response to current market bottlenecks. By specifically focusing on regional aircraft and basing operations at Nagoya Airports, a historical hub for Japanese aerospace and MHI’s aviation projects, the joint venture is carving out a specialized niche. Rather than competing directly in the overcrowded wide-body commercial jet MRO space, Aero Breath is positioned to alleviate the extended AOG events that are currently costing regional operators significant revenue. Any facility capable of turning around regional aircraft faster in the constrained 2026 market will hold a distinct competitive advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Aero Breath begin operations?

The company plans to commence regional aircraft maintenance services within fiscal year 2026, pending necessary permits and regulatory approvals.

Who owns Aero Breath?

The joint venture is a Partnerships between JAL Engineering Co., Ltd. (51%) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (49%).

Where is the company based?

Aero Breath is headquartered at Aichi Prefectural Nagoya Airport in Japan.

Sources: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

This article is based on an official press release from Hexcel Corporation.

On May 28, 2026, Hexcel Corporation and Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) officially broke ground on the new Hexcel Applications Center. Located at NIAR’s Advanced Technologies Lab for Aerospace Systems (ATLAS) in Wichita, Kansas, the facility is designed to bridge the critical gap between early-stage materials science and practical, large-scale aerospace manufacturing.

According to the official press release, this development establishes a unique “end-to-end” composite manufacturing pathway for aerospace and defense customers. The collaboration links Hexcel’s material innovation operations in Utah with automated processing capabilities in Kansas, culminating in final structural validation in Washington state.

The aviation industry is aggressively shifting toward lightweight materials to reduce aircraft weight, improve fuel efficiency, and meet strict carbon emission standards. As noted in supplementary industry research, this joint venture directly addresses the sector’s pressing need for automated scaling in composite manufacturing, providing a vital testing ground for next-generation aerospace technologies.

The End-to-End Composite Pathway

The new Hexcel Applications Center completes a comprehensive, three-step national development pipeline designed to help aerospace customers move efficiently from concept to manufacturable solutions.

Bridging the Gap from Lab to Factory

As detailed in the company’s announcement, the development pathway begins with early-stage material science, process development, and non-automated composite activities at Hexcel’s Applications Lab in Salt Lake City, Utah. This foundational work will now feed directly into the new Wichita facility.

At the Hexcel Applications Center at NIAR, customers will gain access to a broad range of automated composite manufacturing equipment and processing expertise. Finally, the structural build and validation activities are supported by Hexcel’s Kent, Washington facility, which specializes in producing and evaluating full-scale composite articles.

“By combining Hexcel’s materials science and application development expertise with NIAR’s world‑class automated processing capabilities, we are creating a powerful ecosystem that accelerates innovation and delivers practical, manufacturable solutions for our customers,” said Tom Gentile, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer & President of Hexcel Corporation, in the press release.

Industry Context and the Automation Bottleneck

To understand the significance of the Hexcel Applications Center, it is essential to look at the broader aerospace composites market, which is currently experiencing a massive boom.

Overcoming Manufacturing Hurdles

According to industry estimates cited in our research, the global aerospace composites market was valued between $30.3 billion and $41.6 billion in 2025. Driven by the demand for lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft, the market is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of roughly 11% to 12%, potentially reaching over $53 billion by 2030 and up to $119 billion by 2035.

However, while carbon fiber-reinforced polymers and other composites are lighter and stronger than traditional aluminum, manufacturing them has historically been highly labor-intensive. The industry is currently pivoting toward Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) and AI-driven manufacturing to speed up production and reduce defects.

The ATLAS facility, launched in 2019, is uniquely positioned to support this pivot. Industry data notes that ATLAS houses a 4×8-meter autoclave,the largest of any university in the world. This allows suppliers to test new materials on industry-scale equipment without making massive capital expenditures.

“The Hexcel Applications Center at NIAR will bring together world‑class expertise, capability, and technology in one collaborative environment,” stated John Tomblin, WSU Executive Vice President of Research and Industry and Defense Programs and NIAR Executive Director. “This collaboration will significantly enhance the resources available to our aerospace and defense customers, enabling them to develop, scale, and validate advanced composite solutions using next generation manufacturing technology.”

Regional Impact and Leadership Ties

Wichita has a century-long history of aviation manufacturing. The groundbreaking of this new center reinforces the city’s modern transition from traditional metal aircraft manufacturing to advanced, automated composite aerospace engineering.

“Wichita has long been a hub for innovation and a leader in global aerospace and defense manufacturing,” said U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran in the company’s release. “The groundbreaking for the new Hexcel Applications Center at Wichita State University is an important milestone that further solidifies Wichita as the Air Capital of the World.”

AirPro News analysis

We note that the strategic placement of this facility in Wichita is deeply intertwined with Hexcel’s current executive leadership. Tom Gentile, who assumed the role of Hexcel’s CEO and President in May 2024 and became Chairman in December 2024, has profound ties to the region. Prior to joining Hexcel, Gentile served as the President and CEO of Wichita-based Spirit AeroSystems. Furthermore, he has served as an Executive-in-Residence and Executive Advisor to the Dean at WSU’s Barton School of Business.

This personal and professional history provides crucial context for why Hexcel is heavily investing in a partnership with Wichita State University. By leveraging existing regional relationships, Hexcel is not only advancing its manufacturing capabilities but also helping to cultivate a highly skilled talent pipeline for the defense and commercial aviation sectors directly from WSU’s student and researcher base.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Hexcel Applications Center?

It is a newly announced collaborative facility between Hexcel Corporation and Wichita State University’s NIAR, focused on advancing composite materials, automated processing, and aerospace manufacturing innovation.

Where is the new center located?

The center is located at NIAR’s Advanced Technologies Lab for Aerospace Systems (ATLAS) in Wichita, Kansas.

Why is automated composite manufacturing important?

As the aerospace industry shifts to lightweight composite materials to save fuel and reduce emissions, traditional labor-intensive manufacturing methods are creating a bottleneck. Automated manufacturing, such as Automated Fiber Placement (AFP), is required to scale production efficiently and meet growing global demand.

Sources

• Hexcel Corporation Press Release