Boeing Looks To Texas Manufacturing Location For $16 Billion Military Jet Contract

Plans to replace the Air Force’s outdated fighter jets may bring hundreds of jobs to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

By Jill AmentSeptember 20, 2017 2:12 pm, ,

As the U.S. military makes plans to replace an aging fleet of fighter jets, it comes as no surprise that aeronautics giant Boeing is pursuing a $16 billion military jet contract. As part of its bid, the company has selected a north Texas manufacturing facility, in a move that could bring hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars to the region. And even if Boeing doesn’t win, north Texas could still benefit.

Conor Shine, aviation writer for the Dallas Morning News, says the Air Force created the contract to replace outdated training aircraft. Boeing selected the Pennsylvania-based Triumph Group to manufacture parts for a new line of jets dubbed the T-X aircraft. If Boeing wins the bid, production would occur at a major manufacturing facility just south of Dallas, bringing over 900 jobs to the area.

Shine says that strong competition for the Air Force’s bid will ensure that regardless of the company chosen for the 15-year project, new jobs in the DFW region can be expected. A decision on the bid is expected next spring.

 

Written by Rachel Zein.