Collins: Content on Almost Every AircraftNarrow moat

RTX (RTX) — moat facet

Collins earns RTX's best margin from parts certified on almost every aircraft, but on the price paid to assemble it the return is still ordinary.

Collins is RTX's most profitable segment and the one least discussed. It earned $4,923 million in 2025 on sales of $30,196 million, a 16.3% margin1, against 7.9% at Pratt & Whitney and 11.5% at Raytheon2. It produced about 46% of RTX's segment operating profit with a third of segment sales3.

Collins sales and operating profit ($M)21,152Sales 20212,380Profit 202130,196Sales 20254,923Profit 2025RTX Forms 10-K FY2023 and FY2025, three-segment basis
Sales up 43%, profit roughly doubled.

What it sells is breadth: power generation and distribution, environmental controls, flight controls, engine controls, nacelles, landing gear, wheels and brakes, cabin interiors, oxygen systems and avionics4. Once a part is certified on an aircraft it is hard to replace, and many of them wear out with use. That is where Collins's moat sits: in the certification and the aftermarket that follows it.

The margin has risen steadily, from 11.3% in 20215 to 16.3% in 20256, and aftermarket supplied $1.4 billion of 2025's $2.6 billion of organic growth7.

The limit is the price paid. Collins carries $32,776 million of goodwill8 and $71,680 million of segment assets9, so its pre-tax return on assets is about 6.9%10. The position is durable; the return on what was paid for it is ordinary.

Collins sells some of that content to the rest of RTX. Its inter-segment sales were $2,611 million in 202511, the largest of the three, which is why its segment sales of $30,196 million exceed its external sales of $27,585 million. Some of what Pratt & Whitney and Raytheon build contains Collins systems.

Collins is narrow and widening. The measure of this facet is its margin: 15.9% in the second quarter of 20261213, with management aiming toward 20%; a slide back to 14% would mean the gains were aftermarket cycle rather than business change.

Moat trajectory: Widening

Margin 11.3% (2021) to 16.3% (2025), aiming at 20%.

The number that tests this moat
Reported
Collins segment sales, full year
$30,196M (2025), 16.3% margin

The breadth franchise; margin, not sales, is the test of the moat.

Source: RTX Form 10-K FY2025, segment results ↗
Aspects of the moat
DIG DEEPER 01
Aftermarket: $1.4 Billion of Collins's 2025 Growth
Collins earns most of its growth from parts that wear out on aircraft it sold years ago, and that aftermarket lifted its margin to 16.3%.
DIG DEEPER 02
Margin From 11.3% to 16.3% in Four Years
Collins raised its operating margin from 11.3% to 16.3% in four years, and management is now aiming at 20%.
DIG DEEPER 03
Collins Earns 6.9% on Its Segment Assets
Collins earns a 16% margin on sales but only about 7% before tax on the $72 billion of assets, half of it goodwill, that its owners paid for.
DIG DEEPER 04
On Both Airframers' Aircraft
Collins sells to both airframers, to airlines and to governments, so no single aircraft or customer decides its year.
⚠ Threats to the moat
⚠ THREAT 01
The Titanium Bill
In 2024 Collins paid $0.2 billion to replace titanium supply, an example of how supplier failures land on the parts maker.
⚠ THREAT 02
The MUSE Incident
A ransomware attack on Collins's airport check-in software in 2025 showed how far the segment's reputational exposure reaches.
References
  1. ReportedIt earned $4,923 million in 2025 on sales of $30,196 million, a 16.3% margin, against 7.9% at Pratt & Whitney and 11.5% at Raytheon.
    RTX Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Item 7 segment review and Note 20: net sales and operating profit by segment for 2023-2025, organic sales drivers (commercial aftermarket, OEM, military), sales by customer type, products and services, segment assets, capital expenditure and research and development - Pratt & Whitney: segment sales, operating profit, organic drivers, customer types, assets and capital expenditure. — FY2023-FY2025 · publ. 6 February 2026 · source ↗
  2. Moat Explorer calcIt earned $4,923 million in 2025 on sales of $30,196 million, a 16.3% margin, against 7.9% at Pratt & Whitney and 11.5% at Raytheon.
    Moat Explorer calculation from RTX's segment results (Forms 10-K FY2023 and FY2025, Q2 2026 earnings release; $ millions). Operating margins: Collins 2,380 / 21,152 = 11.3% (2021), 2,816 / 23,052 = 12.2% (2022), 4,923 / 30,196 = 16.3% (2025), H1 2026 2,613 / 15,812 = 16.5%, Q2 2026 1,306 / 8,210 = 15.9%, Q1 2026 (first half less Q2) 1,307 / 7,602 = 17.2%; Pratt & Whitney 454 / 18,150 = 2.5% (2021), 1,075 / 20,530 = 5.2% (2022), 2,015 / 28,066 = 7.2% (2024), 2,596 / 32,916 = 7.9% (2025), H1 2026 1,448 / 17,062 = 8.5%, Q2 2026 738 / 8,889 = 8.3%; Raytheon 3,399 / 26,611 = 12.8% (2021), 2,448 / 25,176 = 9.7% (2022), 2,379 / 26,350 = 9.0% (2023), 3,227 / 28,043 = 11.5% (2025), Q2 2026 1,042 / 8,269 = 12.6%; Q1 2026 Raytheon sales 15,214 - 8,269 = 6,945. Growth 2021-2025: Collins 30,196 / 21,152 - 1 = 43% (about 9% a year), operating profit 4,923 / 2,380 = 2.07 times; Pratt & Whitney 32,916 / 18,150 - 1 = 81%, 2025 32,916 / 28,066 - 1 = 17%; Raytheon 28,043 / 26,611 - 1 = 5%. 2025 shares of segment sales (91,155): Pratt & Whitney 36%, Collins 33%, Raytheon 31%; of segment operating profit (10,746): Collins 4,923 = 45.8%, Raytheon 3,227 = 30.0%, Pratt & Whitney 2,596 = 24.2%. Operating profit over segment assets 2025: Collins 4,923 / 71,680 = 6.9%, Raytheon 3,227 / 44,795 = 7.2%, Pratt & Whitney 2,596 / 52,482 = 4.9%. Pratt & Whitney services share 14,449 / 32,916 = 44%; services growth 14,449 / 9,717 = 1.49 times. Collins commercial share 18,858 / 27,585 = 68%; Collins government sales 7,061 + 436 + 1,230 = 8,727, 8,727 / 27,585 = 32%. Raytheon U.S. government share 19,237 / 27,892 = 69%. Collins services share 6,118 / 27,585 = 22%. Pratt & Whitney segment assets 52,482 / 44,307 - 1 = 18%. Pratt & Whitney 2025 defence bookings other than F135: about 9.0 - 2.9 - 2.4 = 3.7 billion. GE Aerospace Commercial Engines & Services profit 8,861 against Pratt & Whitney 2,596: 3.4 times; margins 26.6% against 7.9%. — 2021-2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in RTX's Forms 10-K and 10-Q, earnings releases, earnings call and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  3. Moat Explorer calcIt produced about 46% of RTX's segment operating profit with a third of segment sales.
    Moat Explorer calculation from RTX's segment results (Forms 10-K FY2023 and FY2025, Q2 2026 earnings release; $ millions). Operating margins: Collins 2,380 / 21,152 = 11.3% (2021), 2,816 / 23,052 = 12.2% (2022), 4,923 / 30,196 = 16.3% (2025), H1 2026 2,613 / 15,812 = 16.5%, Q2 2026 1,306 / 8,210 = 15.9%, Q1 2026 (first half less Q2) 1,307 / 7,602 = 17.2%; Pratt & Whitney 454 / 18,150 = 2.5% (2021), 1,075 / 20,530 = 5.2% (2022), 2,015 / 28,066 = 7.2% (2024), 2,596 / 32,916 = 7.9% (2025), H1 2026 1,448 / 17,062 = 8.5%, Q2 2026 738 / 8,889 = 8.3%; Raytheon 3,399 / 26,611 = 12.8% (2021), 2,448 / 25,176 = 9.7% (2022), 2,379 / 26,350 = 9.0% (2023), 3,227 / 28,043 = 11.5% (2025), Q2 2026 1,042 / 8,269 = 12.6%; Q1 2026 Raytheon sales 15,214 - 8,269 = 6,945. Growth 2021-2025: Collins 30,196 / 21,152 - 1 = 43% (about 9% a year), operating profit 4,923 / 2,380 = 2.07 times; Pratt & Whitney 32,916 / 18,150 - 1 = 81%, 2025 32,916 / 28,066 - 1 = 17%; Raytheon 28,043 / 26,611 - 1 = 5%. 2025 shares of segment sales (91,155): Pratt & Whitney 36%, Collins 33%, Raytheon 31%; of segment operating profit (10,746): Collins 4,923 = 45.8%, Raytheon 3,227 = 30.0%, Pratt & Whitney 2,596 = 24.2%. Operating profit over segment assets 2025: Collins 4,923 / 71,680 = 6.9%, Raytheon 3,227 / 44,795 = 7.2%, Pratt & Whitney 2,596 / 52,482 = 4.9%. Pratt & Whitney services share 14,449 / 32,916 = 44%; services growth 14,449 / 9,717 = 1.49 times. Collins commercial share 18,858 / 27,585 = 68%; Collins government sales 7,061 + 436 + 1,230 = 8,727, 8,727 / 27,585 = 32%. Raytheon U.S. government share 19,237 / 27,892 = 69%. Collins services share 6,118 / 27,585 = 22%. Pratt & Whitney segment assets 52,482 / 44,307 - 1 = 18%. Pratt & Whitney 2025 defence bookings other than F135: about 9.0 - 2.9 - 2.4 = 3.7 billion. GE Aerospace Commercial Engines & Services profit 8,861 against Pratt & Whitney 2,596: 3.4 times; margins 26.6% against 7.9%. — 2021-2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in RTX's Forms 10-K and 10-Q, earnings releases, earnings call and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  4. ReportedWhat it sells is breadth: power generation and distribution, environmental controls, flight controls, engine controls, nacelles, landing gear, wheels and brakes, cabin interiors, oxygen systems and avionics.
    RTX Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Item 1 business: the three segments and their products, the GTF family powering more than 2,600 aircraft for over 90 operators, the F135 as sole-source engine on all F-35 variants, GTF Advantage certification, the IAE collaboration shares, employees (about 180,000 in 52 countries, 69% in the U.S.) and the divested businesses. — FY2025 · publ. 6 February 2026 · source ↗
  5. Moat Explorer calcThe margin has risen steadily, from 11.3% in 2021 to 16.3% in 2025, and aftermarket supplied $1.4 billion of 2025's $2.6 billion of organic growth.
    Moat Explorer calculation from RTX's segment results (Forms 10-K FY2023 and FY2025, Q2 2026 earnings release; $ millions). Operating margins: Collins 2,380 / 21,152 = 11.3% (2021), 2,816 / 23,052 = 12.2% (2022), 4,923 / 30,196 = 16.3% (2025), H1 2026 2,613 / 15,812 = 16.5%, Q2 2026 1,306 / 8,210 = 15.9%, Q1 2026 (first half less Q2) 1,307 / 7,602 = 17.2%; Pratt & Whitney 454 / 18,150 = 2.5% (2021), 1,075 / 20,530 = 5.2% (2022), 2,015 / 28,066 = 7.2% (2024), 2,596 / 32,916 = 7.9% (2025), H1 2026 1,448 / 17,062 = 8.5%, Q2 2026 738 / 8,889 = 8.3%; Raytheon 3,399 / 26,611 = 12.8% (2021), 2,448 / 25,176 = 9.7% (2022), 2,379 / 26,350 = 9.0% (2023), 3,227 / 28,043 = 11.5% (2025), Q2 2026 1,042 / 8,269 = 12.6%; Q1 2026 Raytheon sales 15,214 - 8,269 = 6,945. Growth 2021-2025: Collins 30,196 / 21,152 - 1 = 43% (about 9% a year), operating profit 4,923 / 2,380 = 2.07 times; Pratt & Whitney 32,916 / 18,150 - 1 = 81%, 2025 32,916 / 28,066 - 1 = 17%; Raytheon 28,043 / 26,611 - 1 = 5%. 2025 shares of segment sales (91,155): Pratt & Whitney 36%, Collins 33%, Raytheon 31%; of segment operating profit (10,746): Collins 4,923 = 45.8%, Raytheon 3,227 = 30.0%, Pratt & Whitney 2,596 = 24.2%. Operating profit over segment assets 2025: Collins 4,923 / 71,680 = 6.9%, Raytheon 3,227 / 44,795 = 7.2%, Pratt & Whitney 2,596 / 52,482 = 4.9%. Pratt & Whitney services share 14,449 / 32,916 = 44%; services growth 14,449 / 9,717 = 1.49 times. Collins commercial share 18,858 / 27,585 = 68%; Collins government sales 7,061 + 436 + 1,230 = 8,727, 8,727 / 27,585 = 32%. Raytheon U.S. government share 19,237 / 27,892 = 69%. Collins services share 6,118 / 27,585 = 22%. Pratt & Whitney segment assets 52,482 / 44,307 - 1 = 18%. Pratt & Whitney 2025 defence bookings other than F135: about 9.0 - 2.9 - 2.4 = 3.7 billion. GE Aerospace Commercial Engines & Services profit 8,861 against Pratt & Whitney 2,596: 3.4 times; margins 26.6% against 7.9%. — 2021-2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in RTX's Forms 10-K and 10-Q, earnings releases, earnings call and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  6. ReportedThe margin has risen steadily, from 11.3% in 2021 to 16.3% in 2025, and aftermarket supplied $1.4 billion of 2025's $2.6 billion of organic growth.
    RTX Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Item 7 segment review and Note 20: net sales and operating profit by segment for 2023-2025, organic sales drivers (commercial aftermarket, OEM, military), sales by customer type, products and services, segment assets, capital expenditure and research and development - totals across segments: segment sales and profit, eliminations, acquisition accounting and FAS/CAS adjustments. — FY2023-FY2025 · publ. 6 February 2026 · source ↗
  7. ReportedThe margin has risen steadily, from 11.3% in 2021 to 16.3% in 2025, and aftermarket supplied $1.4 billion of 2025's $2.6 billion of organic growth.
    RTX Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Item 7 segment review and Note 20: net sales and operating profit by segment for 2023-2025, organic sales drivers (commercial aftermarket, OEM, military), sales by customer type, products and services, segment assets, capital expenditure and research and development - totals across segments: segment sales and profit, eliminations, acquisition accounting and FAS/CAS adjustments. — FY2023-FY2025 · publ. 6 February 2026 · source ↗
  8. ReportedCollins carries $32,776 million of goodwill and $71,680 million of segment assets, so its pre-tax return on assets is about 6.9%.
    RTX Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - consolidated financial statements and notes: income statement, cash flow, dividends and repurchases, long-term debt of $37,700 million, goodwill by segment, pension income, the 2024 resolution of certain legal matters, the Raytheon contract termination and the accelerated share repurchase. — FY2023-FY2025 · publ. 6 February 2026 · source ↗
  9. ReportedCollins carries $32,776 million of goodwill and $71,680 million of segment assets, so its pre-tax return on assets is about 6.9%.
    RTX Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Item 7 segment review and Note 20: net sales and operating profit by segment for 2023-2025, organic sales drivers (commercial aftermarket, OEM, military), sales by customer type, products and services, segment assets, capital expenditure and research and development - Collins Aerospace: segment sales, operating profit, organic drivers, customer types, assets and capital expenditure. — FY2023-FY2025 · publ. 6 February 2026 · source ↗
  10. Moat Explorer calcCollins carries $32,776 million of goodwill and $71,680 million of segment assets, so its pre-tax return on assets is about 6.9%.
    Moat Explorer calculation from RTX's segment results (Forms 10-K FY2023 and FY2025, Q2 2026 earnings release; $ millions). Operating margins: Collins 2,380 / 21,152 = 11.3% (2021), 2,816 / 23,052 = 12.2% (2022), 4,923 / 30,196 = 16.3% (2025), H1 2026 2,613 / 15,812 = 16.5%, Q2 2026 1,306 / 8,210 = 15.9%, Q1 2026 (first half less Q2) 1,307 / 7,602 = 17.2%; Pratt & Whitney 454 / 18,150 = 2.5% (2021), 1,075 / 20,530 = 5.2% (2022), 2,015 / 28,066 = 7.2% (2024), 2,596 / 32,916 = 7.9% (2025), H1 2026 1,448 / 17,062 = 8.5%, Q2 2026 738 / 8,889 = 8.3%; Raytheon 3,399 / 26,611 = 12.8% (2021), 2,448 / 25,176 = 9.7% (2022), 2,379 / 26,350 = 9.0% (2023), 3,227 / 28,043 = 11.5% (2025), Q2 2026 1,042 / 8,269 = 12.6%; Q1 2026 Raytheon sales 15,214 - 8,269 = 6,945. Growth 2021-2025: Collins 30,196 / 21,152 - 1 = 43% (about 9% a year), operating profit 4,923 / 2,380 = 2.07 times; Pratt & Whitney 32,916 / 18,150 - 1 = 81%, 2025 32,916 / 28,066 - 1 = 17%; Raytheon 28,043 / 26,611 - 1 = 5%. 2025 shares of segment sales (91,155): Pratt & Whitney 36%, Collins 33%, Raytheon 31%; of segment operating profit (10,746): Collins 4,923 = 45.8%, Raytheon 3,227 = 30.0%, Pratt & Whitney 2,596 = 24.2%. Operating profit over segment assets 2025: Collins 4,923 / 71,680 = 6.9%, Raytheon 3,227 / 44,795 = 7.2%, Pratt & Whitney 2,596 / 52,482 = 4.9%. Pratt & Whitney services share 14,449 / 32,916 = 44%; services growth 14,449 / 9,717 = 1.49 times. Collins commercial share 18,858 / 27,585 = 68%; Collins government sales 7,061 + 436 + 1,230 = 8,727, 8,727 / 27,585 = 32%. Raytheon U.S. government share 19,237 / 27,892 = 69%. Collins services share 6,118 / 27,585 = 22%. Pratt & Whitney segment assets 52,482 / 44,307 - 1 = 18%. Pratt & Whitney 2025 defence bookings other than F135: about 9.0 - 2.9 - 2.4 = 3.7 billion. GE Aerospace Commercial Engines & Services profit 8,861 against Pratt & Whitney 2,596: 3.4 times; margins 26.6% against 7.9%. — 2021-2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in RTX's Forms 10-K and 10-Q, earnings releases, earnings call and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  11. ReportedIts inter-segment sales were $2,611 million in 2025, the largest of the three, which is why its segment sales of $30,196 million exceed its external sales of $27,585 million.
    RTX Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 - Item 7 segment review and Note 20: net sales and operating profit by segment for 2023-2025, organic sales drivers (commercial aftermarket, OEM, military), sales by customer type, products and services, segment assets, capital expenditure and research and development - totals across segments: segment sales and profit, eliminations, acquisition accounting and FAS/CAS adjustments. — FY2023-FY2025 · publ. 6 February 2026 · source ↗
  12. ReportedThe measure of this facet is its margin: 15.9% in the second quarter of 2026, with management aiming toward 20%; a slide back to 14% would mean the gains were aftermarket cycle rather than business change.
    RTX second-quarter 2026 earnings release, Form 8-K exhibit 99 - sales of $24.7 billion, segment results, cash flow, balance sheet and raised 2026 outlook. — Q2 2026 · publ. 23 July 2026 · source ↗
  13. Moat Explorer calcThe measure of this facet is its margin: 15.9% in the second quarter of 2026, with management aiming toward 20%; a slide back to 14% would mean the gains were aftermarket cycle rather than business change.
    Moat Explorer calculation from RTX's segment results (Forms 10-K FY2023 and FY2025, Q2 2026 earnings release; $ millions). Operating margins: Collins 2,380 / 21,152 = 11.3% (2021), 2,816 / 23,052 = 12.2% (2022), 4,923 / 30,196 = 16.3% (2025), H1 2026 2,613 / 15,812 = 16.5%, Q2 2026 1,306 / 8,210 = 15.9%, Q1 2026 (first half less Q2) 1,307 / 7,602 = 17.2%; Pratt & Whitney 454 / 18,150 = 2.5% (2021), 1,075 / 20,530 = 5.2% (2022), 2,015 / 28,066 = 7.2% (2024), 2,596 / 32,916 = 7.9% (2025), H1 2026 1,448 / 17,062 = 8.5%, Q2 2026 738 / 8,889 = 8.3%; Raytheon 3,399 / 26,611 = 12.8% (2021), 2,448 / 25,176 = 9.7% (2022), 2,379 / 26,350 = 9.0% (2023), 3,227 / 28,043 = 11.5% (2025), Q2 2026 1,042 / 8,269 = 12.6%; Q1 2026 Raytheon sales 15,214 - 8,269 = 6,945. Growth 2021-2025: Collins 30,196 / 21,152 - 1 = 43% (about 9% a year), operating profit 4,923 / 2,380 = 2.07 times; Pratt & Whitney 32,916 / 18,150 - 1 = 81%, 2025 32,916 / 28,066 - 1 = 17%; Raytheon 28,043 / 26,611 - 1 = 5%. 2025 shares of segment sales (91,155): Pratt & Whitney 36%, Collins 33%, Raytheon 31%; of segment operating profit (10,746): Collins 4,923 = 45.8%, Raytheon 3,227 = 30.0%, Pratt & Whitney 2,596 = 24.2%. Operating profit over segment assets 2025: Collins 4,923 / 71,680 = 6.9%, Raytheon 3,227 / 44,795 = 7.2%, Pratt & Whitney 2,596 / 52,482 = 4.9%. Pratt & Whitney services share 14,449 / 32,916 = 44%; services growth 14,449 / 9,717 = 1.49 times. Collins commercial share 18,858 / 27,585 = 68%; Collins government sales 7,061 + 436 + 1,230 = 8,727, 8,727 / 27,585 = 32%. Raytheon U.S. government share 19,237 / 27,892 = 69%. Collins services share 6,118 / 27,585 = 22%. Pratt & Whitney segment assets 52,482 / 44,307 - 1 = 18%. Pratt & Whitney 2025 defence bookings other than F135: about 9.0 - 2.9 - 2.4 = 3.7 billion. GE Aerospace Commercial Engines & Services profit 8,861 against Pratt & Whitney 2,596: 3.4 times; margins 26.6% against 7.9%. — 2021-2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in RTX's Forms 10-K and 10-Q, earnings releases, earnings call and market data; operands shown in the source line.
Sources
Generated September 28, 2026