Last updated: July 11, 2026

Application No. 18/969,847

Untitled Application

Unknown

Filed

Examiner

HESTON, JUSTIN MICHAEL

Art Unit

Tech Center

RTX Corporation

Assignee

RTX Corporation

OA Round

3 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +22.0% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (81%); +22.0% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 221 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

HESTON, JUSTIN MICHAEL View full profile →

Grants 81% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

180 granted / 221 resolved

+21.4% vs TC avg

Strong +22% interview lift

Without

With

+22.0%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 3m

Avg Prosecution

25 currently pending

Career history

233

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103

86.3%

+46.3% vs TC avg

§102

10.2%

-29.8% vs TC avg

§112

2.3%

-37.7% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 221 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jul 25, 2025

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Oct 27, 2025

Response Filed

Jan 28, 2026

Final Rejection mailed

Mar 30, 2026

Response after Non-Final Action

Apr 17, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/665,530

Patent 12673780

Exhaust Airflow System

2y 1m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/258,515

Patent 12654839

RECONFIGURABLE UNMANNED VEHICLES

2y 12m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/316,143

Patent 12654846

VORTEX GENERATORS, AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE SAME, AND RELATED METHODS

3y 1m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/720,283

Patent 12654850

VTOL AIRCRAFT WITH A BATTERY ELECTRIC DRIVE AND AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

2y 0m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/454,742

Patent 12630265

FOLDING MARINE CLEAT WITH FASTENER RETENTION

2y 9m to grant Granted May 19, 2026

Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

3-4

Expected OA Rounds

81%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+22.0%)

2y 3m

Median Time to Grant

High

PTA Risk

Based on 221 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.