If they win the Air Force’s T-X advanced pilot training competition to replace the T-38, Leonardo says they will assemble the T-100 training jet in Tuskegee, Alabama.

According to a statement released by the company on March 30th, Leonardo would lease a new facility and invest $200 million in the project. They estimate the venture would create 750 new jobs for the area over a ten year period.

Watch the T-100 in Action!

Leonardo was earlier partnered with Raytheon for the T-X competition, with plans to assemble T-100s in Meridian, Mississippi. In January, the companies said they were unable to consummate the business relationship; weeks later Leonardo said it will continue to compete in partnership with its U.S. subsidiary, DRSTechnologies.

The Air Force plans to award a contract this year for the program’s engineering and manufacturing development phase and production of 350 new jets and ground-based training systems, an estimated $16.3 billion acquisition. – AINOnline

Lockheed Martin and Boeing are also hoping to win the Air Force T-X contract.

Featured image of the T-100 training jet by Leonardo