WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Moss Point plant in Jackson County has agreed to produce two new aircraft for the U.S. Navy and Defense Department.
The Northrup Gunman Facility in Moss Point will be a primary manufacturing location for the production of 10 ship-based MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopters and three shore-based MQ-4C Triton maritime surveillance aircraft.
“The Moss POint facility is responsible for final assembly of the Fire Scouts, and it will assume a similar role in producing the Triton Fuselage. This is good news, both in terms of confidence in our workforce and in terms of maintaining stable production lines for aircraft required by the Defense Department. It is clear that Moss Point workers will play a critical role in the future of Navy unmanned aviation,” said Sen. Thad Cochran.
The $108.1 million contract was awarded by the Navy last month for the MQ-8C Fire Scout. It is expected to be completed in August of 2019.
The $255.2 million contract for the MQ-4C Triton was awarded just last week. This project comes with one main operation control station, one forward operation control station, training courseware, and tooling.
“It is clear why the Moss Point facility and its workers are being asked to play a bigger role in producing the next generation of unmanned aircraft,” said Sen. Roger Wicker. “This increased workload is a testament to the high quality job that they are doing to deliver cutting-edge aircraft to our national defense.
