Honeywell is set to expand its aerospace manufacturing footprint in Arizona to support the United States Navy’s upcoming jet training program. The company announced plans to assemble F124 jet engines at its existing Phoenix campus, a move designed to power the Beechcraft M-346N military-aircraft.

According to reporting by 12News, the U.S. Navy is anticipated to acquire over 200 new aircraft for its training fleet. To meet this demand, Honeywell is preparing its local facilities to handle the on-site assembly of the required propulsion systems.

Production Timeline and Scope

Meeting Navy Demand

The expansion represents a significant long-term commitment to defense manufacturing in the region. Assembly of the F124 engines for the Beechcraft M-346N is slated to commence at the Phoenix location by 2027.

Over the subsequent 13 years, the facility is projected to produce more than 400 engines, according to 12News. The local news outlet also noted that the Navy is expected to officially contract the Beechcraft M-346N candidate next year.

A Legacy of Aerospace Engineering

Building on Decades of Experience

The Phoenix campus has been a cornerstone of Honeywell’s production capabilities for decades, making it a logical choice for the new defense contract. The site has a long history of delivering critical aviation components to both military and commercial clients.

“Honeywell’s Phoenix Engines campus has produced tens of thousands of world-class engines and auxiliary power units over more than 75 years. We’re proud to start building our F124 engines in Phoenix as we support the U.S. Navy in its new jet trainer program.”

This statement from Dave Marinick, president of Engines & Power Systems at Honeywell Aerospace, highlights the facility’s extensive track record in the industry.

AirPro News analysis

The decision to localize the assembly of the F124 engines in Phoenix underscores a broader industry trend of consolidating defense manufacturing within established domestic hubs. By leveraging a facility with over 75 years of operational history, Honeywell mitigates supply-chain risks and positions itself favorably for future Department of Defense procurement cycles. The 13-year production timeline also suggests sustained economic benefits and job stability for the local aerospace sector in Arizona.

Frequently Asked Questions

What engine is Honeywell expanding production for?

Honeywell is expanding the manufacturing and on-site assembly of its F124 jet engines.

What aircraft will these engines power?

The engines are slated to power the Beechcraft M-346N, which is a candidate for the U.S. Navy’s new jet training system.

When will production begin?

Assembly of the engines at the Phoenix campus is projected to begin by 2027.

Sources

• 12News
• Kevin Reagan

This article is based on an official press release from Bell Textron Inc.

On April 20, 2026, Bell Textron Inc. announced highly successful initial results from its Nacelle Improvement (NI) Program for the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey. According to the company’s press release, modified Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) CV-22s have logged over 10,000 flight hours, demonstrating a 75 percent reduction in maintenance time and a 10 percent increase in operational readiness.

By targeting the nacelles, historically the most maintenance-intensive component of the tiltrotor aircraft, the upgrade program aims to significantly reduce operational costs and improve safety. We note that these enhancements are positioned to extend the Osprey’s service life through 2055, ensuring its continued role in U.S. military operations.

Addressing the V-22’s Maintenance Bottleneck

Historical Challenges and Program Inception

The V-22’s nacelles house the critical power and propulsion components necessary for its unique vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities and transition to forward flight. Historically, approximately 60 percent of all V-22 maintenance actions have been concentrated in this area, creating a significant readiness constraint for the fleet. In 2015, an Osprey Independent Readiness Review led by Lt. Gen. Keith Stalder, USMC (Ret.), identified systemic sustainment issues that were driving fleet readiness to dangerously low levels.

To combat these challenges, the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) awarded Bell Boeing an $81 million contract in January 2021 to develop, design, and install nacelle modification kits. According to the program’s historical data, the first modified CV-22 was returned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base in December 2021.

Technical Upgrades and Fleet Rollout

Engineering Enhancements

The NI program is a data-driven engineering upgrade designed to modernize the nacelles, based heavily on direct feedback from Air Force and Marine Corps maintainers to ensure better physical access for routine repairs. Key modifications include redesigned wiring bundles to streamline troubleshooting and structural enhancements to reduce downtime. All modifications are completed at Bell’s Amarillo Assembly Center (AAC) in Texas, utilizing artisans highly experienced in V-22 manufacturing.

Measurable Impact on AFSOC

The recent data release highlights substantial operational improvements for the modified fleet. The upgrades allow for four times longer flight hours between critical part changes. Since the initial rollout, the program has saved AFSOC more than 24,000 maintenance man-hours, equating to over 1,000 days of maintainer time redirected to other mission-critical tasks. As of late 2024, 31 out of AFSOC’s 51 CV-22 aircraft had successfully completed the modifications.

“The Nacelle Improvement Program enhances the V-22s reliability, flexibility, and global reach for combat and humanitarian missions alike. We are pleased to see these remarkable results from the NI program and look forward to continued collaboration to enhance focus on V-22 safety, sustainability, and readiness,” said Kurt Fuller, Senior Vice President, Military Fielded Programs at Bell, in the company’s press release.

“Since the initial rollout, the CV-22 Nacelle Improvement has saved AFSOC more than 24,000 maintenance hours… CV-22 readiness saw more than a 10 percent increase; meaning more mission capable CV-22s on the flightline, which allows for further training and improved safety,” stated the V-22 Joint Program Office Principal Military Deputy Program Manager.

Broader Industry Context and Future Outlook

Rebuilding Fleet Confidence

The V-22 fleet faced a high-profile grounding in late 2023 following a fatal crash, with NAVAIR officially returning the Osprey to flight status on March 8, 2024, after a meticulous safety review. The success of the NI program serves as a critical pillar in rebuilding operator confidence and ensuring the long-term safety of the platform. While the program began with the Air Force’s CV-22 fleet, the technical commonality between variants means the operational data will directly inform planning for the Navy (CMV-22B) and Marine Corps (MV-22) fleets, which are also slated to incorporate these upgrades.

AirPro News analysis

We view the Nacelle Improvement Program as a vital pivot point for the V-22 Osprey’s lifecycle. By shifting the aircraft from a notoriously maintenance-intensive platform to a more sustainable one, Bell and Boeing are addressing the root cause of the fleet’s historical readiness woes. The validated 75 percent reduction in maintenance time is a staggering efficiency gain that not only lowers lifecycle costs but fundamentally changes how squadrons plan their operational tempos. If these metrics hold as the upgrades roll out to the larger Marine Corps and Navy fleets, the V-22 is well-positioned to remain a cornerstone of U.S. vertical lift capabilities through its projected 2055 service life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the V-22 Nacelle Improvement Program?

It is an engineering upgrade program by Bell Boeing aimed at modernizing the nacelles of the V-22 Osprey to improve reliability, reduce maintenance time, and increase operational readiness through simplified wiring and structural enhancements.

How much maintenance time has the program saved?

According to Bell Textron, the program has achieved a 75 percent reduction in maintenance time and saved AFSOC over 24,000 maintenance man-hours since its inception.

Will other military branches receive these upgrades?

Yes, the operational data from the Air Force’s CV-22 fleet is informing plans to incorporate these upgrades into the Navy’s CMV-22B and the Marine Corps’ MV-22 fleets.

Sources: Bell Textron Inc. Press Release

This article summarizes reporting by Reuters and Mike Stone. The original report is paywalled; this article summarizes publicly available elements and public remarks.

The U.S. Air Force has officially reversed its near-term retirement plans for the A-10 Thunderbolt II, extending the iconic attack aircraft’s service life until 2030. According to reporting by Reuters, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink announced the decision on April 20, 2026, sparing the close air support plane from an earlier retirement deadline of 2026.

The extension is heavily driven by the aircraft’s critical performance in the ongoing conflict with Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury. As the defense industrial base works to ramp up production of newer combat Military-Aircraft, the A-10, affectionately known as the “Warthog”, continues to provide indispensable combat capacity in active theaters.

This development marks the latest chapter in a decades-long debate over the 50-year-old airframe. Despite repeated attempts by the Pentagon to retire the fleet to free up funds for modernization, the A-10 has repeatedly survived due to its unique battlefield capabilities, fierce political backing, and the immediate tactical needs of ground and naval forces.

Operational Success in Operation Epic Fury

Maritime Strikes and Search and Rescue

The A-10’s extension is directly tied to its active deployment in the Middle East. According to U.S. Central Command data cited in recent defense research reports, the Warthog has been highly effective in maritime operations. Pilots have utilized the aircraft’s powerful nose-mounted 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger cannon to strafe and engage Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, proving the airframe’s versatility beyond traditional ground support.

Beyond maritime strikes, the A-10 has proven crucial in combat search and rescue (SAR) missions. During a recent operation to recover two downed F-15E airmen, A-10s provided vital close air support. While one A-10 crashed during this specific mission, the pilot was successfully rescued, underscoring the high-stakes environment in which these aircraft and their crews are currently operating.

Squadron Extensions and Leadership Directives

Revised Timelines for Key Bases

The fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) had previously mandated that the Air Force maintain a minimum of 103 A-10s through September 2026, with a full transition to retirement slated for 2029. However, the new directive alters this trajectory significantly to maintain current force posture.

The Air Force plans to keep three specific squadrons operational longer than anticipated. An active-duty squadron at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia and a reserve unit at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri will both be extended to 2030. Additionally, a second squadron at Moody Air Force Base will see its operations extended to 2029.

Political and Defense Leadership Alignment

The decision to retain the Warthog was made in consultation with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who publicly endorsed the move. Furthermore, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink publicly thanked President Donald Trump for his decisive leadership in retaining the aircraft.

“Long live the Warthog.”
— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth

In his social media announcement, Secretary Meink noted that the extension is a strategic necessity, stating that it preserves combat power while the defense industrial base works to increase the production of newer combat aircraft.

The Decades-Long Debate and Future Outlook

A Legacy of Close Air Support

First flown in 1976, the A-10 was purpose-built for close air support. Its ability to operate at lower speeds and altitudes allows pilots to clearly identify targets and loiter over the battlefield to protect ground troops. Despite these capabilities, the Pentagon has attempted to retire the A-10 for over two decades, arguing the plane is too old, too slow, and too expensive to maintain.

Critics within the Air Force have long suggested that retiring the A-10 would free up funds for modernization priorities, such as hypersonic weapons and next-generation fighters. Furthermore, officials have warned that maintaining the aging fleet strains the supply of mechanics needed for newer aircraft. However, the aircraft has maintained strong political staying power. Bases like Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona house large concentrations of the fleet, and political figures, including Arizona Senator Mark Kelly in 2021, have historically fought to keep the planes operational to ensure ground troops are not left without adequate air support.

Stopgap for the Defense Industrial Base

The extension of the A-10 serves as a critical stopgap measure. It relieves immediate pressure on the defense industrial base, giving Manufacturers more time to ramp up the production of modern combat aircraft without leaving a capability gap. The Air Force ultimately plans to replace the A-10’s close air support role with the F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter.

The Air Force is set to unveil its fiscal 2027 budget on April 21, 2026. Industry estimates suggest the budget will outline the procurement of 38 F-35As, alongside investments in the F-15EX Eagle II, the B-21 Raider bomber, and the sixth-generation F-47 fighter jet.

“…the next challenge is the Air Force has to get its act together to work on a replacement program for the A-10.”
— Dan Grazier, Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center

AirPro News analysis

At AirPro News, we observe a profound irony in the A-10’s current trajectory. An aircraft that Air Force brass has actively tried to divest for 20 years is now proving indispensable in a modern naval and ground conflict. The Warthog’s survival highlights a persistent tension between future-focused procurement strategies and the immediate, practical needs of combatant commanders in theaters like the Strait of Hormuz.

While political praise and operational successes dominate the current narrative, the logistical realities of maintaining a 50-year-old airframe cannot be ignored. The Air Force must balance the immediate tactical advantages of the A-10 in Operation Epic Fury with the long-term strain on maintenance crews and supply chains. The extension to 2030 buys valuable time for the defense industrial base, but it also delays the inevitable and necessary transition to a modernized close air support fleet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the A-10 Warthog being extended to 2030?

The U.S. Air Force extended the A-10’s service life due to its critical performance in the ongoing conflict with Iran (Operation Epic Fury) and to maintain combat capacity while the defense industrial base increases production of newer aircraft.

What role is the A-10 playing in the current conflict?

The A-10 is conducting maritime strikes against Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz using its 30mm cannon, and it is providing vital close air support for combat search and rescue missions.

What aircraft will eventually replace the A-10?

The Air Force plans to replace the A-10’s close air support role primarily with the F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter, alongside other next-generation investments.

Sources

• Reuters