The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance (CRMEA) has welcomed a major contract win by Collins Aerospace, which is set to increase production activity at the company’s headquarters in Cedar Rapids.
The aerospace manufacturer, part of RTX, confirmed it has secured multiple agreements from Bell Textron Inc. to supply five critical systems for the U.S. Army’s new MV-75 Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA).
Production of the systems will be spread across several sites, including Cedar Rapids, where Collins Aerospace maintains major operations, including its global avionics headquarters. The company is the city’s largest employer, with approximately 7,000 staff, and plays a central role in the regional economy.
Juliet Abdel, president and CEO of CRMEA, said the announcement underscores the region’s growing importance within global aerospace supply chains.
“For a mid-sized region like Cedar Rapids, staying competitive means remaining deeply connected to global supply chains, industry innovation and workforce development. Collins Aerospace’s continued successes reinforce our role in those networks.”
– Juliet Abdel, president and CEO of CRMEA.
Abdel added that the city’s established aerospace ecosystem, supported by a strong supplier base and close collaboration with education providers, is helping to attract further investment. “That holistic approach to enriching our aerospace cluster positions us well for attracting investment in advanced manufacturing and avionics,” she said.
Collins Aerospace president Troy Brunk said the company is focused on delivering advanced capabilities for the next generation of military aircraft.
“The Army’s new generation of rotorcraft needs to fly farther and faster, and we’re committed to helping Bell accelerate delivery of that advanced performance with Collins’ military-grade commercial technology.”
– Collins Aerospace president Troy Brunk.
The FLRAA programme represents the U.S. Army’s first clean-sheet rotorcraft design in a generation and is expected to deliver roughly double the speed and range of the current fleet. Collins Aerospace will supply a suite of key systems, including power generation, drive systems, air data sensing technology, cockpit seating and ice protection systems—components critical to both performance and long-term reliability.
Local leaders say continued investment in workforce development will be essential to sustaining this growth, with a particular focus on strengthening talent pipelines for aerospace, advanced manufacturing and emerging industries.
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