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Drone fighter project for MoD will support 100 jobs in Belfast

The Spirit AeroSystems operation in Belfast.
The Spirit AeroSystems operation in Belfast. The Spirit AeroSystems operation in Belfast.

SPIRIT Aerosystems in Belfast has won a £30 million UK Government contract to develop an unmanned combat aircraft for the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

It’s the first major deal announced by the new US owners of the former Bombardier operation.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the three-year contract to design and manufacture a prototype will support more than 100 jobs in the north.

It comes just days after Airbus announced plans to ramp up production of the A220 aircraft, which features wings made by Spirit Aero in Belfast.

Airbus said it will shortly move from producing four to five A220 jets per month from the end of March 2021.

Meanwhile, the ‘loyal wingman’ project will involve an aircraft designed to fly at high speed alongside fighter jets, armed with missiles, surveillance and electronic warfare technology.

The MoD said it will be Britain’s first uncrewed platform able to target and shoot down enemy aircraft and survive against surface-to-air missiles.

Spirit AeroSystems has been selected to lead Team Mosquito in the next phase of the project.

 The MoD's 'loyal wingman' project has been backed by £30m from the UK Government.
 The MoD's 'loyal wingman' project has been backed by £30m from the UK Government.  The MoD's 'loyal wingman' project has been backed by £30m from the UK Government.

It will further develop the RAF's Lightweight Affordable Novel Combat Aircraft (LANCA) concept, with a full-scale vehicle flight-test programme expected by the end of 2023.

Reacting to the announcement, Michael J Ryan, vice-president and general manager of Spirit AeroSystems in Belfast said: “Project Mosquito will advance new capabilities and sustain more than 100 high-value engineering jobs at our facility in Belfast.

“Longer term, this contract will allow us to demonstrate our defence capabilities and places us in a good position for future work on Mosquito as well as for further UK defence contracts.

“It is fantastic news for Northern Ireland aerospace and highlights the important role we play in driving innovation and supporting jobs across the UK,” he said.