Issue Briefs
Why Raytheon Technologies Could Become America’s Biggest Aerospace & Defense Business In This Decade (From Forbes)
Loren B. Thompson
September 02nd, 2021
When Raytheon and United Technologies merged in 2020 to become Raytheon Technologies, they created an aerospace enterprise with unrivaled market breadth and technical depth. There is a real possibility that by mid-decade, RTX will be the biggest aerospace and defense business in America. At present, Boeing and Lockheed Martin have more sizable sales, but Boeing has suffered significant setbacks in both its commercial and defense units, while Lockheed has only a modest commercial presence. Moreover, much of the content found in aircraft made by Boeing and Lockheed Martin actually originates at Raytheon, including most notably the engines and a vast array of electronic gear. If Raytheon does emerge as the leader of the domestic industry, it would not be a big surprise because the company is heir to the hard-won expertise of BF Goodrich, Hamilton Standard, Hughes Aircraft, Pratt & Whitney, Rockwell Collins and other enterprises that have contributed hugely to the sector’s success. I have written a commentary for Forbes here.
The views and opinions expressed in this issue brief are those of the author.
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Loren B. Thompson is a Senior Adviser at GPI, Chief Operating Officer of the non-profit Lexington Institute and Chief Executive Officer of Source Associates, a for-profit consultancy. Prior to holding his present positions, he was Deputy Director of the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University and taught graduate-level courses in strategy, technology and media affairs at Georgetown. He has also taught at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Mr. Thompson holds doctoral and masters degrees in government from Georgetown University and a bachelor of science degree in political science from Northeastern University. |