Production Plans Contingent On Getting UJTS Contract

Textron Aviation Defense announced production plans for the UJTS, or Undergraduate Jet Training System program. That is, if they get the contract, the company will assemble the Beechcraft M-346N at its Wichita, Kansas factory. The historic Beechcraft brand called Wichita home for almost a century, and the announcement reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering the U.S. Navy its most advanced integrated jet training system. As well as making sure the Navy knows they're ready for it.

Textron is putting its money where its mouth is, saying it will invest $38 million to modernize over 50,000 square feet of existing manufacturing space on its east Wichita campus if they get the award.

It is anticipated the program will create an estimated 100 direct aviation manufacturing jobs in Wichita as well as numerous indirect jobs in support of aircraft production and assembly.

Travis Tyler, President and CEO of Textron Aviation Defense said,  “Wichita has long been the center of innovation for Beechcraft, and we’re proud to continue that tradition as we prepare to support the Navy’s next-generation training needs. This announcement underscores our 85-year legacy of supporting the U.S. government with training aircraft from the American heartland.”

The Beechcraft M-346N is the heart of a low-risk operationally-proven training system that features Live-Virtual-Constructive capabilities for advanced naval training. More than 100 M-346 aircraft have been produced by Leonardo with over a decade of performance training aviators for fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft, making it a reliable high-performance solution for the Navy’s next-gen training requirements.

Textron Aviation Defense anticipates the Navy will announce the contract award in January 2027 and believes it is competitively positioned to be selected and to support the Navy’s objective of accelerating it to IOC, or Initial Operational Capability.

FMI:  defense.txtav.com/