Boeing has started work on a new facility that will house the cutting-edge post-assembly phases of future military aircraft production.
Phantom Works, Boeing Defence, Space & Security’s private research, development, and prototyping branch, will operate the new Advanced Coatings Centre in a secure facility. The 47,500-square-foot facility is now under development, and it is scheduled to open in 2025.
“As we pivot towards future programmes, Boeing’s defence business is in the midst of one of the most significant investments in new facilities in our history,” said Steve Nordlund, vice president and general manager of Air Dominance and senior site executive in St. Louis. “This investment is being made not only to win new future franchise programmes, but also to enable the United States to keep up with increasingly capable and aggressive adversaries.” “We are revolutionising aircraft design, construction, and delivery because the threats demand it,” Nordlund added.
The Advanced Coatings Centre is the third new facility announced as part of Phantom Works’ multibillion-dollar manufacturing System of the Future initiative, which will allow Boeing to build a platform-agnostic, modular, and adaptable digital manufacturing system across future defence programmes. The company established a new Advanced Composite Fabrication Centre in Mesa, Ariz., last fall, and added a new Lab and Test facility in St. Louis over the winter. In the following years, further new factories to support various stages of manufacturing are planned.
“This facility is great news for Missouri and our nation,” Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said. “With over 15,000 employees, Boeing is Missouri’s largest manufacturer, contributing to the state’s economic growth on a daily basis.” This new facility demonstrates our commitment to expansion and our investment in a great team.”
