Get FinancingBombardier Chooses Wichita, Kansas, For U.S. Headquarters
Nicknamed the “Air Capital of the World,” Wichita, Kansas, USA is now officially the site of leading business jet and aviation manufacturer Bombardier’s U.S. headquarters. The Montréal, Québec,-based Bombardier also announced this week it has renamed its defense aircraft segment to Bombardier Defense as part of an expansion of its Specialized Aircraft division. Bombardier Defense is also based in Wichita. Additionally, Bombardier provided details concerning more firm orders for modified versions of Bombardier Global 6000 jets potentially worth $465 million tied to the U.S. Air Force Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) program.
When In Wichita
Wichita has long been home to Bombardier’s luxury jet Learjet subsidiary, as well as the site of a service centre for Challenger and Global business jets and a flight-testing centre for all its aircraft, including the 10-passenger Challenger 3500 executive jet expected to enter service this year. In recent years, Bombardier has expanded the service centre from three hangars to seven to accommodate existing and expected demand. Bombardier also operates dedicated hangars for Bombardier Defense.
In conjunction with the U.S. headquarters announcement, Bombardier announced it has appointed Tonya Sudduth as its Head of U.S. Strategy, a new role created to enhance and expand Bombardier’s presence at its other U.S. sites. Sudduth was formerly Vice President of Operations in Wichita. Additionally, Bombardier is seeking to immediately fill 180 jobs in Wichita and nearly 500 jobs across the country.
Defensive Minded
Bombardier says the expanding defense market is a key growth area for the company. Moving forward, Bombardier Defense will rely on its Wichita employees and local industry, plus its expertise in original equipment manufacturer design, manufacturing, and certification, to provide solutions based on its aircraft platforms. The newly announced firm orders for additional modified Global 6000s stem from a contract the USAF awarded Bombardier last year to modify up to six Global 6000s to E11-A BACN platforms.
“Wichita was the obvious choice as the home of Bombardier’s new U.S. headquarters and Bombardier Defense,” says Bombardier President and CEO Éric Martel. “For more than 60 years, the established skills and expertise from the Air Capital of the World is second to none, and this latest confirmation from the United States Air Force is a testament to the confidence they have in our aircraft and importantly, in the strength of our people in Wichita.”
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Source: Bombardier