As Alabama’s largest traditionally black school and college, it’s our privilege to play an integral a part of the neighborhood we function in by contributing an financial influence of over $350 million statewide and $228 million within the larger Huntsville space. Our numerous pupil physique and huge worker base supporting the upper training of our college students ranks us quantity 19 among the many Prime 20 largest employers within the Tennessee Valley area. With this additionally comes nice duty to proceed investing in our area and driving innovation.
For many years, Alabama A&M College (AAMU) has grown alongside the Alabama workforce by attracting college students thinking about designing and constructing capabilities for our subsequent era of protection. When Lockheed Martin introduced a collaboration with Airbus earlier this yr to provide the LMXT aerial refueling tanker for the Air Pressure’s deliberate KC-Y tanker competitors, AAMU applauded the announcement and acknowledged the chance this partnership will create for our college students.
As a college that draws college students from everywhere in the state, it’s inspiring to know that Alabamians, together with our graduates, would play a key function in constructing this plane. The LMXT will likely be partly manufactured in Cellular, Alabama at a brand new state-of-the-art facility that Lockheed Martin and Airbus are ready to spend money on if the Air Pressure proceeds with the KC-Y competitors. The collection of Alabama as a producing base for the LMXT additional cements our state’s fame for excellence within the aerospace business. The LMXT is a subsequent era plane that can mix new age applied sciences realized by our college students and the premier abilities of our aerospace manufacturing neighborhood.
The LMXT’s capabilities will far exceed the capabilities of the Air Pressure’s present tanker and, if it wins the competitors, would supply our navy with the means to confront peer adversaries with the prowess such a confrontation requires. A profitable competitors additionally means a win for Alabama.
AAMU is proud to help the aerospace business, a lot of which is in our yard. An Alabama constructed tanker that delivers on its promised efficiency would profit our nation’s navy whereas creating good paying jobs proper right here at house for our graduating courses. Nonetheless, this funding in our state’s economic system hinges on the Air Pressure transferring ahead with a contest for the tanker. The Request for Proposal is anticipated in 2023, with the projection that the Air Pressure will award the contract in 2024.
I’m urging our Congressional delegation to do every thing attainable to inspire the Air Pressure to maneuver ahead with the KC-Y competitors and supply Alabamans the chance to compete. The Air Pressure has acknowledged {that a} competitors is the most effective methodology to comprise prices and ship on worth; now will not be the time to forego one. Alabama is on the transfer and changing into internationally acknowledged as a number one business aerospace manufacturing state. As Bulldog followers all know, Alabamians should not strangers to competitors. Our aerospace business can and can ship on the LMXT. We must always have the chance to compete.
I’m assured that our congressional delegation shares my perception that the Air Pressure ought to decide the most effective plane for its missions. The one approach to make sure that the Air Pressure is supplied with the most effective aerial tanker is thru a good and open competitors.
