Raytheon Technologies, now operating as RTX, has been nominated for the 2026 World AI Awards in the Aerospace category, recognising work across artificial intelligence, autonomy, aircraft maintenance and next-generation aviation systems.
The nomination comes as AI moves deeper into both commercial and military aerospace. Across RTX businesses Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney and Raytheon, the technology is being applied to problems ranging from pilot workload and engine inspections to predictive maintenance and autonomous aircraft operations.
The World AI Awards recognises organisations, individuals, products and technologies contributing to the development and real-world application of artificial intelligence across industries.
For RTX, artificial intelligence is not concentrated in a single platform. The company lists AI and autonomy among its core transformative technology areas, with work spanning commercial aviation, propulsion, defence systems and advanced aerospace research.
Autonomy enters the flight deck
Collins Aerospace is investigating how autonomous technology could assist pilots without removing them from the decision-making process.
Its experimental pilot-centric autonomy programme combines semi-autonomous software with flight-deck systems to help crews manage four core areas: flying the aircraft, navigation, communications and aircraft systems.
One example involves processing air traffic control instructions. Rather than requiring pilots to listen, record instructions and manually update flight-management systems, the experimental technology can help interpret information and reduce the number of repetitive cockpit tasks.
Collins reported in 2025 that its experimental flight deck had been demonstrated more than 70 times since 2024 to pilots, aircraft manufacturers and industry specialists. Around 30 commercial, business and private pilots had also been recruited to test the systems and provide feedback.
The technology remains a development and demonstration programme rather than a replacement for pilots in commercial service.
AI takes on aircraft engine inspections
Artificial intelligence is also being deployed inside RTX’s maintenance operations.
In July 2026, Pratt & Whitney announced the acquisition and integration of technology from Amsterdam-based Aiir Innovations, whose AI-assisted software analyses video captured during aircraft-engine borescope inspections.
Borescope inspections require technicians to examine internal engine components for signs of wear or damage. The AI software assists inspectors by analysing imagery and helping identify relevant features, with the aim of making assessments faster and more consistent.
Pratt & Whitney says the technology has already been deployed with commercial customers and maintenance, repair and overhaul providers. It has been applied to the V2500 engine, while pilots have also been completed on the GTF and F135 engines.
RTX reported in September 2026 that AI and machine vision are being used more broadly across maintenance facilities. At the Goodrich Aerostructures Service Center in Singapore, for example, a robotic machine-vision system scans quick-engine-change kits containing more than 150 items. According to RTX, the process reduces the associated manual workload by roughly 70%.
Predictive analytics looks for problems before disruption
RTX is also using aircraft and engine data to identify maintenance requirements before they turn into operational disruptions.
Pratt & Whitney’s EngineWise Intelligence services analyse engine operating data to support predictive and preventative maintenance. The company says its Advanced Diagnostics and Engine Monitoring system currently provides analysis covering more than 10,000 engines across 140 customers.
A typical two-hour flight involving a GTF engine can generate around four million data points, according to Pratt & Whitney. Analytics can use that information to identify trends, detect anomalies and support maintenance planning.
Collins Aerospace has extended similar ideas across aircraft systems. In 2025, Collins joined the Airbus-led Digital Alliance for Aviation, using its aircraft-system data and analytics expertise to expand predictive health-monitoring capabilities through the Skywise ecosystem.
Autonomous software moves into military aircraft
Beyond commercial aviation, Collins Aerospace is developing AI-powered autonomy for military applications.
In February 2026, Collins announced that its Sidekick mission autonomy software had flown aboard General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ YFQ-42A, an uncrewed jet developed for the U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme.
The flight demonstrated semi-autonomous software designed for operations in which uncrewed aircraft work alongside crewed fighters. Collins also markets Collaborative Mission Autonomy software that can integrate AI-enabled behaviours across different aircraft and mission systems.
These programmes show another side of aerospace AI: software is moving beyond analysing data after a flight and increasingly becoming part of how aircraft interpret information and execute tasks during operations.
Graham Cooke, President of the World AI Awards, said:
“Raytheon Technologies’ nomination highlights how artificial intelligence is becoming part of the wider aerospace technology stack, from aircraft maintenance and engine monitoring to cockpit assistance and autonomous systems.
“The work being developed across RTX businesses demonstrates the opportunity for AI to help engineers process complex aircraft data, support maintenance teams and give pilots and operators new tools for managing increasingly sophisticated systems. We congratulate the team on its 2026 World AI Awards nomination and look forward to following the continued development of these technologies.”
Raytheon Technologies joins organisations, researchers, entrepreneurs and technology developers being recognised through the 2026 World AI Awards.
The programme recognises organisations, individuals and technologies contributing to the development and application of artificial intelligence across industries, including sectors where AI must operate alongside complex physical machinery and established engineering processes.
The RTX portfolio illustrates that transition particularly clearly. Some applications, including AI-assisted engine inspections and predictive analytics, are already being used in maintenance environments. Others, such as pilot-centric autonomy and collaborative aircraft systems, remain under development, testing or demonstration.
Together, these projects show how artificial intelligence in aerospace is expanding beyond standalone software. Increasingly, AI is being integrated into the systems that inspect aircraft, interpret operational data, assist crews and enable new forms of autonomous flight.
Learn more about Raytheon Technologies and RTX’s aerospace and defence technology at rtx.com.
Discover the World AI Awards 2026, explore the nominees and learn more about the awards at worldawards.ai.
