To protect our heroes

Raytheon Technologies donates $3 million to get protective equipment to CT first responders and medical workers

The truck rolled in to Connecticut on Sunday, April 26, the last stop in a trip that began with a flight from China to Chicago. On board: hundreds of thousands of pieces of medical-grade protective personal equipment, known as PPE, destined for the state’s first responders and frontline health care professionals as they combat the COVID-19 pandemic.


The shipment included 455,000 KN95 medical masks, 325,000 surgical masks, 120,000 protective coveralls, and 4,500 ICU coveralls. Equipment and transport came courtesy of a $3 million donation from Raytheon Technologies.


“Getting PPE to front line workers who are battling this pandemic is a top priority, and amid a global shortage of this gear, we are appreciative to have corporate partners like Raytheon Technologies that are utilizing their resources and supply chain to boost Connecticut’s supplies and get this equipment to those who need it the most,” said Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, who announced the donation.

The donation represents one of the efforts Raytheon Technologies is making worldwide to help fight the pandemic.

“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health of our communities and the global economy has been swift and unprecedented,” said Greg Hayes, CEO of Raytheon Technologies. “We stand ready to support our nation and our local communities where we can throughout this crisis. It is truly amazing to see how quickly we have been able to come together and mobilize teams on the ground in China to source and transport this urgently needed PPE shipment, and I want to thank everyone involved.”

Among the other Raytheon Technologies efforts to pitch in against the current crisis:

  • Using its 3D printing capability across the globe to build thousands of medical face shields, with 10,000 created in less than a month;
  • Using its worldwide supply chain to source parts for ventilators and get them to manufacturers as they ramp up production;
  • Tapping two of its four businesses, Raytheon Intelligence & Space and Raytheon Missiles & Defense, to manufacture hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes;
  • Supporting suppliers who are dealing with the crisis, including offering assistance in accessing federal aid;
  • and exploring the manufacture of surgical gowns through its Collins Aerospace interiors business.

The PPE donation “is part of several things Raytheon Technologies is doing across the United States to support the areas that we work and live in and ensure employees, their families and medical workers are protected,” said Jill Albertelli, SVP, Transformation and Strategy, Pratt & Whitney.

Connecticut, which received the shipment of PPE this week, is where Pratt & Whitney, one of the four businesses that form Raytheon Technologies, is headquartered.

“Connecticut has been home to Pratt & Whitney for 95 years, and we feel strongly that if we all band together to help our communities, we will get through this moment of great need,” said Chris Calio, President of Pratt & Whitney. “As one of the state’s largest and most active employers we are honored to lend our resources and expertise to bring much needed supplies to our state.”

The former United Technologies, one of the two legacy companies that merged to form Raytheon Technologies in April, also had its headquarters in Connecticut. Collins Aerospace maintains significant operations in the state.

“Our teams are working tirelessly to source, organize and assemble equipment to take care of medical workers around the world – and those who are taking care of the communities in which we live and work. Many Collins Aerospace employees call Connecticut home, and I could not be prouder of their commitment to doing everything possible to get these urgently needed supplies in the hands of those who need them the most,” said Stephen Timm, President of Collins Aerospace. 

“We’re all in this together, both on the state government side, the federal government side, and now, with private industry,” said Captain David Pytlik from the Connecticut National Guard. “We’re just incredibly grateful to have that support.”

We are a community of people who are oriented around service. And we can be proud that we are truly making a difference in the fight against this global pandemic.

Raytheon Technologies is using its manufacturing capacity, and engineering, logistics and finance expertise, to carry out initiatives that serve our communities, deliver on our commitments to our customers and protect our employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about our efforts.