- Textron Aviation Defense plans to assemble the Beechcraft M-346N in Wichita, Kansas, if it wins the U.S. Navy’s Undergraduate Jet Training System contract.
- The company will invest $38 million to upgrade facilities and create about 100 direct manufacturing jobs.
Textron Aviation Defense has announced plans to assemble the Beechcraft M-346N jet trainer at its Wichita, Kansas facility if the company is selected for the U.S. Navy’s Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program.
According to a company statement, Textron Aviation Defense will invest more than $38 million to modernize over 50,000 square feet of existing manufacturing space at its east Wichita campus — the longtime home of the Beechcraft brand. The project is expected to create approximately 100 direct manufacturing jobs and additional indirect positions supporting aircraft assembly and logistics.
“This announcement underscores our 85-year legacy of supporting the U.S. government with training aircraft from the American heartland,” said Travis Tyler, president and CEO of Textron Aviation Defense. “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.”
Textron Aviation Defense’s proposal centers on the Beechcraft M-346N, a twin-engine, tandem-seat jet trainer derived from the proven Leonardo M-346 platform. The aircraft integrates Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) training capabilities, allowing pilots to experience simulated combat scenarios synchronized with live flight operations. With more than 100 M-346 aircraft produced globally and a decade of operational service, the M-346N provides what the company calls a “low-risk, operationally proven solution” for the Navy’s advanced training requirements.
If selected, the Wichita production line will support the Navy’s objective of accelerating Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for its new jet training system. Textron expects the Navy to award the UJTS contract in January 2027 following several preliminary Requests for Information.
The company’s announcement received broad support from Kansas leaders and federal lawmakers. Senator Jerry Moran, who serves on the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, praised the move as an investment in U.S. naval readiness and the local aerospace workforce. “Textron Aviation’s decision to assemble the Beechcraft M-346N in Wichita is a testament to the world-class aviation workforce present in Kansas,” Moran said. “This aircraft is the right solution to meet the Navy’s future training requirements.”
U.S. Congressman Ron Estes also commended the initiative, calling it a continuation of Wichita’s aviation heritage. “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,” Estes said. “I commend Textron’s leadership for investing in our skilled Kansas workforce and strengthening our military readiness.”
The Beechcraft M-346N is a tandem-seat, twin-engine jet equipped with fully digital avionics, fly-by-wire controls, and dual Honeywell F124-GA-200 turbofan engines, delivering a top cruise speed of more than 590 knots and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet. Its elevated rear cockpit provides instructors with superior visibility, while safety features such as the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto-GCAS) reflect a strong focus on pilot protection and training efficiency.
Textron says these features make the M-346N well-suited to bridge the gap between basic flight instruction and operational fighter jet performance—especially in a naval context where carrier qualification remains a central challenge for student aviators.