Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) is embarking on a significant $1.8 billion project, constructing a new classified 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft Military Factorymilitary Factory Aircraft near its St. Louis, Missouri headquarters. This major investment signals a bold move towards securing future combat aircraft programs, even before specific contracts are awarded. The facility aims to position Boeing at the forefront of advanced military aircraft manufacturing for decades to come.
A Proactive Investment in Future Air Dominance
Boeing officially announced on June 26th the commencement of construction for the new facility, strategically located adjacent to its existing fighter production campus at St. Louis Lambert International airport. While Boeing hasn’t named specific projects, the stated goal is to “support future combat aircraft programmes.” The construction area, dubbed the “Brownleigh Site,” is prominently advertised with imagery suggestive of sixth-generation fighters, underscoring Boeing’s commitment to maintaining its role as a leading fighter manufacturer.
This 102,000 sq m (1.1 million sq ft) advanced combat aircraft plant represents a preemptive investment. “Our military customers have urged the industrial base to invest now to ensure the United States and its allies can keep pace with rapidly advancing and increasingly aggressive near-peer threats,” explained Steve Nordlund, Boeing’s vice-president of air dominance. “We listened to our customers, leaned forward and made the most significant investment in the history of Boeing’s defence business.”
Aerial view of the construction site for Boeing’s new advanced combat aircraft military factory, the Brownleigh Site, near St. Louis Lambert International Airport.
The current St. Louis complex is a hub of activity, assembling F/A-18 Super Hornet and F-15EX Eagle II fighters, alongside the T-7A Red Hawk trainer. Nearby in Mascoutah, Illinois, a separate facility for the MQ-25 Stingray autonomous refueller is nearing completion. Despite this existing workload, the substantial investment in a new, advanced military factory carries considerable risk amidst shifting defense priorities.
Boeing F-15EX Eagle II fighter jet in flight, representing current aircraft production alongside development of next-generation platforms.
Navigating Program Uncertainties and Budgetary Pressures
Support for next-generation fighter initiatives within the Pentagon appears to be facing headwinds. The US Navy is scaling back funding for its F/A-XX development, and senior US Air Force (USAF) leadership has recently expressed less certainty about the commitment to the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, intended to replace the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.
USAF Chief of Staff General David Allvin highlighted the challenges on June 13th, stating, “It is going to be a challenging next couple of years to sort out the resources.” When questioned about the service’s commitment to NGAD alongside the simultaneous development of Collaborative Combat Aircraft, Allvin remarked, “We’re going to have to make those choices, make those decisions and… that’s going to probably play out in the next couple of years.”
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, typically a strong advocate for fleet modernization, also seemed non-committal regarding NGAD in a recent interview, suggesting the service might need to “take another look” due to budget constraints. Boeing, while not officially confirming its involvement, is widely considered a prime contender alongside Lockheed Martin for the highly classified NGAD contract. Prototypes are rumored to be flying, despite the formal solicitation only being released in 2023, with a manufacturer selection anticipated by the end of 2024. Northrop Grumman, the manufacturer of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, publicly withdrew from the NGAD competition in 2023, leaving Boeing and Lockheed as the sole US fighter aircraft manufacturers vying for the program.
Strategic Imperative and Industrial Base Concerns
Boeing’s preemptive factory investment seems intrinsically linked to its bid for the NGAD contract, a program seen as critical for the defense unit’s long-term viability. “We have to make some bets,” Nordlund acknowledged. Current projections see F/A-18 production ending in 2027, and the USAF has reduced its planned F-15EX acquisition significantly. Furthermore, lucrative full-rate production for newer programs like the T-7A and MQ-25, currently under fixed-price development contracts, is still years away. “That’s not where we’re making our money,” Nordlund added.
Securing a next-generation fighter contract is crucial to avoid significant uncertainty for Boeing’s specialized manufacturing workforce. The $1.8 billion investment is a clear signal of Boeing’s commitment, with the facility being built to stringent US government security standards, limiting its initial use to domestic programs. This investment aims to entice the Pentagon, given the limited opportunities following Lockheed Martin’s dominance in the 5th generation fighter aircraft arena with the F-22 and F-35, and Northrop Grumman securing the B-21 bomber contract.
The fragility of the US fighter industrial base was underscored during a recent tour of the F-15EX assembly line. James Dewees, Boeing’s vice-president of manufacturing, noted that slightly over 600 workers manage the entire production for that platform. Such specialized workforces are highly susceptible to disruptions, as evidenced by the lingering supply chain and labor issues stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic across the aerospace sector.
Artist’s impression of the completed Boeing Defense Brownleigh site, a secure military factory designed for future combat aircraft programs.
A High-Stakes Wager on the Future
Construction at the secure Brownleigh Site is slated for completion in 2026, though Boeing indicates some flexibility in this timeline. Ultimately, the $1.8 billion facility represents a substantial wager by Boeing’s leadership that they will secure the necessary contracts to fill this advanced military factory by the time it opens its doors. Failure to win a major next-generation program like NGAD could have significant repercussions not only for Boeing but for the broader US defense industrial base responsible for producing cutting-edge fighter aircraft. The outcome of this strategic gamble remains to be seen as defense priorities and budgets continue to evolve.
