A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

Missile systems specialist MBDA arrives at Farnborough International Airshow on the heels of officially opening a new high-tech manufacturing facility in Bolton, UK, for the production of inert missile equipment and systems. The Rt. Hon. Gavin Williamson MP, UK Secretary of State for Defence, presided over the ribbon cutting earlier this month..

 


Employing some 670 highly skilled design, engineering and manufacturing employees, MBDA said the new £50 million ($66 million) facility will significantly improve its design, test, and production capabilities. A number of key missiles for the UK armed forces are being produced at the site, including Brimstone, ASRAAM, CAMM (Sea Ceptor and Land Ceptor), SPEAR and Meteor. The UK government has inked a £400 million ($527 million) contract with MBDA (Outside Exhibition 10; Innovation Zone 3499)&nbsp;to help create an additional 100 jobs.

 


“You can’t have prosperity without security,” said Williamson. “MBDA in Bolton is keeping Britain safe while creating highly skilled jobs and opportunities.”

 


As part of the opening ceremonies, MBDA officials re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant, reiterating the company’s commitment to supporting the UK’s military services.

 


With a significant presence in five European countries and the U.S., and more than 90 armed forces customers worldwide, in 2017 MBDA registered €3.1 billion ($3.61 billion) in revenues, with its order book standing at €16.8 billion ($19.6 billion). The Paris-based company is jointly owned by Airbus (37.5 percent), BAE Systems (37.5 percent), and Leonardo (25 percent).

MBDA Touts New High-tech Missile Plant in UK

Facility in Bolton employs 670 designers and engineers, and produces key missiles for UK armed forces.

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