Boeing to build new trainer in St. Louis if it wins T-X bid

Boeing today announced that if it wins the Air Force's $16 billion competition to build the next-generation T-X training jet, it will assemble the aircraft at its St. Louis facility, where the program would support approximately 1,800 jobs.

In a May 15 press release, Missouri politicians joined company executives in touting the program's importance to supporting jobs in the state.

"I'm proud that Boeing has trust in the highly skilled workforce in my district, and I look forward to the economic opportunity that these jobs will bring for our community and the Missouri supply chain," Rep. Lacy Clay (D-MO) said in the release.

Boeing has teamed with Saab to offer a clean-sheet T-X design, whereas Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace are jointly bidding the T-50A, which is already in production. Sierra Nevada Corp. and Stavatti have also confirmed their bids. The Air Force expects to award a contract before the end of this year.