An aerospace components manufacturer plans to add hundreds of jobs in Texas to provide parts for Boeing under a massive new defense contract.
The $9.2 billion Air Force contract includes 352 T-X jets, 46 simulators and ground accessories, as well as an option to purchase up to 124 more jets and 74 more simulators. The T-X will replace the Air Force’s 1960s-era fleet of training aircraft for pilots, the T-38C Talon.
Boeing’s bid was selected ahead of a proposal from Lockheed Martin and an Italian partner. Leanne Caret, the president of Boeing’s defense segment, said she expects the T-X to be “a franchise program for much of this century.”
Boeing officials added that the announcement clears the aerospace giant to begin placing orders with its suppliers, including partner Saab and, reportedly, Triumph Group.
The company is headquartered outside Philadelphia but produces large airframe systems primarily at a facility just south of Dallas. Triumph previously estimated Boeing’s receipt of the contract would translate to 950 direct and indirect jobs, but the Dallas Morning News reports officials based that projection on a much larger deal.
The paper reported that Triumph would produce T-X components including the wing, vertical, and horizontal tail structures.
Triumph congratulated Boeing in a brief statement.
“We’re excited to be a significant supplier for this important team that will help the U.S. Air Force train future pilots for many generations,” the company said.
Image Credit: Triumph Group/http://www.triumphgroup.com/triumph-congratulates-boeing-on-winning-the-t-x-advanced-pilot-training-competition/