RTX Posts Strong Q1 Earnings on Defense Growth as Pratt & Whitney Fires Back at Airbus in A320 Engine Spat
RTX has reported a strong start to 2026, with its first-quarter earnings exceeding expectations, largely driven by heightened demand in its defense sector. Amidst this financial success, a significant conflict is emerging on the commercial side of the business. Subsidiary Pratt & Whitney is publicly responding to sharp criticism from Airbus regarding engine performance on the popular A320 aircraft family. The dispute highlights severe tensions between the engine manufacturer and the airframer over powerplant reliability. This public confrontation could have significant implications for future orders and the relationship between the two aerospace giants.