SE Kansas News

Bell Textron has announced that Wichita will remain the manufacturing site for the fuselage assembly of the Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). This production will be conducted at the Beech Field Facility on Textron Aviation’s East Campus, near Textron Aviation Defense. Operations at this facility are expected to commence in the coming months.

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran from Kansas expressed his approval of this decision, stating, “Bell Textron’s decision to continue production of the Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft in Kansas marks an historic day for the Air Capital of the World.” He emphasized that this announcement reflects positively on Kansas' workforce and its blend of academic and industrial resources. Moran also noted that this development would support national security and provide job opportunities for years ahead.

The announcement underscores Bell Textron's commitment to Wichita and highlights its importance as a critical component of the Army's aviation modernization program. The expansion in south-central Kansas is seen as a testament to the skill level of local workers and the quality of aviation manufacturers and supply chains in the area.

In addition to manufacturing activities in Wichita, supporting work for FLRAA will occur at various Bell facilities across Texas, including their Advanced Composite Center in Fort Worth. The final assembly of aircraft is planned for Amarillo.

“Textron has a rich history with the state of Kansas as well as the city of Wichita,” stated Bell Textron officials. They reaffirmed their dedication to investing in advanced manufacturing processes during FLRAA's Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase to ensure high performance at affordable costs.