If awarded, the company plans to invest more than USD 38 million to moderniSe over 50,000 square feet of existing manufacturing facilities on its east Wichita campus. The project is expected to create around 100 direct manufacturing jobs, alongside numerous indirect positions supporting production and assembly.

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

The Beechcraft M-346N forms the core of a proven, low-risk integrated training system featuring Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) capabilities designed for advanced naval training. With more than 100 M-346 aircraft already produced by Leonardo and over a decade of operational success training pilots for fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, the M-346N is positioned as a reliable and high-performance solution for the Navy’s future training needs.

The U.S. Navy has issued several Requests for Information in preparation for an anticipated Request for Proposals for the UJTS programme. Textron Aviation Defence expects the contract award to be announced in January 2027 and believes it is well placed to help the Navy accelerate its Initial Operational Capability (IOC).

“Textron Aviation’s decision to assemble the Beechcraft M-346N in Wichita is a testament to the world-class aviation workforce present in Kansas,” said Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas. “This aircraft is the right solution to meet the Navy’s future training requirements. I will continue my work on the Senate Defence Appropriations Subcommittee to make certain our Navy pilots have the necessary resources and equipment to support their mission.”

The Beechcraft M-346N is a twin-engine, tandem-seat aircraft equipped with fully digital avionics and fly-by-wire flight controls. It incorporates quadruple redundancy, Head-Up and Large Area Displays in both cockpits, and hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS) controls. Safety features include an Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto-GCAS). Powered by two Honeywell F124-GA-200 turbofan engines, the M-346N achieves a maximum cruise speed exceeding 590 knots and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet.

With its advanced aerodynamics, superior manoeuvrability, and elevated instructor cockpit for improved visibility, the M-346N reflects Textron’s continued leadership in aviation innovation. Senator Moran added, “Textron’s investment strengthens our skilled Kansas workforce and reinforces America’s military readiness.”