Hundreds of local and state officials gathered today for the ribbon cutting of Brazil-based Embraer’s aircraft assembly facility at Jacksonville International Airport.
The A-29 Super Tucanos will be used by the U-S Air Force in Afghanistan.
The aircraft will be used to conduct advanced flight training, aerial reconnaissance and light air support operations.
The $427 million contract is for 20 aircraft. Embraer, through its prime contractor Sierra Nevada and other companies will create 1,400 jobs across the county, 50 in Jacksonville.
Governor Rick Scott says more manufacturing jobs is good news for Floridians.
Congressman Ander Crenshaw says as a member of the defense appropriations subcommittee he’s knows about the importance of having an agile multi-purpose aircraft in Afghanistan.
He says the Super Tucano fills that need. Crenshaw says he expects the nation’s allies will also want to use the plane which will lead to more Super Tucano’s being assembled in Jacksonville.
