Governor Mike Parson Commends U.S. Air Force for Selecting Boeing’s T-X Proposal

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

Jefferson City — On Thursday, the U.S. Air Force selected Boeing’s T-X as its next generation of jet trainer aircraft.  The aircraft will be assembled in St. Louis and Boeing Defense, Space & Security division estimates the T-X production will support 1,800 well-paying jobs in Missouri. 

“I commend the U.S. Air Force for selecting Boeing’s T-X proposal and supporting Missouri’s workforce,” said Governor Parson. “Missouri has had a rich history of supporting aerospace ventures, from Charles Lindbergh, to the Mercury space program, to the latest innovation represented by the T-X.  We look forward to working with Boeing to provide support for the training of its skilled workforce and other incentives that will allow Boeing to meet its obligations to the U.S. Air Force.”

With the U.S. Air Force’s decision, Missouri will continue to play a leading role in building aircraft to defend our nation, a tradition that extends back to 1939 when McDonnell Aircraft opened its St. Louis plant.

Beating out competing proposals, the $16 billion T-X contract will allow the U.S. Air Force to replace its aging T-38 training aircraft with an initial 351 of the new two-seat jet trainers.  There will be a possibility of sales to allied nations in the future. 

In addition to the new T-X, Boeing builds E/A-18 Growlers and F/A-18 Super Hornets for the U.S. Navy. It also builds Advanced F-15 flown by U.S. allies around the world.