Mobility Engineering reported microelectronics and engine castings are among the individual aircraft components that continue to challenge Raytheon Technologies’ aerospace and defense manufacturing supply chain. Company CEO Greg Hayes and COO Christopher Calio talked about the challenges during an earnings call in January, and both have referenced the situation since the first quarter of 2022. 

“…We saw some improvement on castings,” Calio said in response to an analyst question. “It’s not where it needs to be … Rocket motors continues to be a pacing item at RMD. And microelectronics, while the lead times have stabilized, they haven’t come down and back to 2019 historical levels.”

The company said the shortage of structural castings is the result of a lack of available trained workers to build and supply them for the Pratt & Whitney division of Raytheon. Calio said castings and microelectronics shortages will continue to be a “headwind” in 2023.