CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — April 16, 2026 — Collins Aerospace has secured multiple new military contracts that will expand production activities and reinforce Cedar Rapids’ position as a leading center for next-generation aerospace innovation.
The company, an RTX business, announced it has been awarded contracts from Bell Textron Inc. to supply five critical systems for the U.S. Army’s MV-75 Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program—one of the military’s most advanced rotorcraft initiatives.
Production for the program will take place across several Collins Aerospace locations, including its Cedar Rapids headquarters, which serves as the company’s global avionics hub. The expansion further solidifies the city’s role in advanced aerospace manufacturing and defense technology.
As the region’s largest employer, Collins Aerospace supports approximately 7,000 jobs in Cedar Rapids, making it a cornerstone of the local economy and a key driver of innovation across Iowa’s aerospace sector.
“For a mid-sized region like Cedar Rapids, staying competitive means remaining deeply connected to global supply chains, industry innovation and workforce development,” said Juliet Abdel, President and CEO of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. “Collins Aerospace’s continued success reinforces our role in those networks and strengthens our aerospace cluster for future investment.”
The MV-75 FLRAA represents the Army’s first clean-sheet rotorcraft design in decades and is engineered to deliver twice the speed and range of current aircraft. Collins Aerospace will provide a suite of mission-critical systems, including power generation, drive systems, air data sensing technologies, cockpit seating, and ice protection systems—components essential to aircraft performance and long-term operational reliability.
Company leadership emphasized the importance of delivering advanced capabilities to meet evolving defense needs.
“The Army’s next-generation rotorcraft must fly farther and faster, and we are committed to helping accelerate that capability with proven, military-grade technology,” said Troy Brunk, President of Collins Aerospace.
Regional leaders note that continued investment in workforce development remains essential to sustaining this growth. Ongoing collaboration between industry, education partners, and economic development organizations is helping build a skilled talent pipeline to support aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technology sectors.
With these new contracts, Cedar Rapids continues to strengthen its position within the national defense supply chain while advancing its reputation as a hub for aerospace innovation and high-value manufacturing.
About the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance
The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance drives economic growth across the region through business development, public policy, and community initiatives. The organization represents the Cedar Rapids market with a vision to be one of the top economic regions in the United States. Learn more at cedarrapids.org.
