{"id":306172,"date":"2021-09-22T13:37:34","date_gmt":"2021-09-22T03:37:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=306172"},"modified":"2021-09-22T13:37:34","modified_gmt":"2021-09-22T03:37:34","slug":"boeing-picks-wellcamp-for-wingman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2021\/09\/22\/boeing-picks-wellcamp-for-wingman\/","title":{"rendered":"Boeing Picks Wellcamp For Wingman"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Boeing’s Loyal Wingman completed its first high-speed taxi test last December and its first flight in March (Photo: Boeing)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

September 22, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

Boeing has selected Wellcamp Airport as its preferred site for an unmanned\u2011aircraft production facility, their first outside North America.<\/p>\n

The Boeing Australia facility will produce and assemble the Boeing Airpower Teaming System, known as the Loyal Wingman, subject to defence orders.<\/p>\n

The aircraft made its first flight in February 2021 and will be the first military combat aircraft designed, developed and manufactured in Australia in half a century.<\/p>\n

It is designed to work as part of a smart team with existing military aircraft – both manned and unmanned – to complement and extend airborne missions.<\/p>\n

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the partnership showed great confidence in Queensland as a world leader in advanced manufacturing.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIn choosing Wellcamp Airport, Boeing have taken an important step towards delivering their purpose-built final assembly facility,” she said.<\/p>\n

Wagner Corporation expects construction will support about 300 jobs, with at least 70 high-skilled advanced manufacturing jobs created once the facility opens.<\/p>\n

Boeing Defence Australia vice-president Scott Carpendale said the company was “thinking long-term” about the Wellcamp investment, which could assist Australia to gain future global defence and aerospace opportunities.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precinct location is attractive due to its access to a flight line, clear flying days, commercial flight access from major cities and ability to support the rapid pace at which the Airpower Teaming System program is growing,” Mr Carpendale said.<\/p>\n

Wagner Corporation chairman John Wagner said Boeing\u2019s selection of Wellcamp was a major boost for the region.<\/p>\n

\u201cAttracting investment and global companies such as Boeing to Toowoomba is recognition of the strategic advantages the Wellcamp Airport site offers, including access to the future Inland Rail,\u201d Mr Wagner said.<\/p>\n