US Navy Trainer Competition Spurs USD 38 Million Industrial Readiness Push in Kansas

USA – Textron Aviation Defense has announced that, if awarded the U.S. Navy’s Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) contract, it will assemble the Beechcraft M-346N at its east Wichita campus in Kansas. The proposed production plan marks a major potential investment in Wichita’s aviation manufacturing base and reinforces the city’s long-standing legacy in military flight training platforms.

• Textron Aviation Defense plans to invest over USD$38 million to modernize 50,000 sq. ft of manufacturing space at its Wichita east campus.
• The company estimates the UJTS program would create approximately 100 direct manufacturing jobs, plus indirect jobs across the supply chain.
• The Beechcraft M-346N, offered in partnership with Leonardo, is based on the proven M-346 platform, with over 100 aircraft produced and in use for advanced pilot training worldwide.
• The M-346N features digital flight controls, advanced avionics, Auto-GCAS, and a Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) integrated training environment optimized for naval aviation.
• The U.S. Navy is expected to release its UJTS program Request for Proposals soon, with contract award anticipated in January 2027.
• The Wichita site has historical significance as the home of the Beechcraft brand, supporting U.S. military programs for over eight decades.

Statements

• “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.” – Travis Tyler, President & CEO, Textron Aviation Defense
• “Textron Aviation’s decision to assemble the Beechcraft M-346N in Wichita is a testament to the world-class aviation workforce present in Kansas. This aircraft is the right solution to meet the Navy’s future training requirements. I will continue my work on the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to make certain our Navy pilots have the necessary resources and equipment to support their mission.” – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran
• “Textron Aviation’s commitment to assembling the Beechcraft M-346N in Wichita is a testament to their rich heritage in the Air Capital of the World and their responsiveness to the needs of the United States Navy. As a steady defender of our aviation industry. I commend Textron’s leadership for investing in our skilled Kansas workforce and strengthening our military readiness.” – Congressman Ron Estes

About Textron Aviation Defense Textron Aviation Defense is a division of Textron Inc. and is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. It is responsible for delivering military variants of Beechcraft and Cessna aircraft, including training, ISR, and light attack platforms for U.S. and allied forces.

Source: Textron Aviation Defense