Bombardier announced Tuesday that its Wichita facility will serve as its new U.S. headquarters.   The announcement was made during a special event in Wichita attended by state and local leaders.

The company also has established Bombardier Defense as an expansion of its existing Specialized Aircraft division.   The division has confirmed additional firm orders from the United States Air Force for modified versions of its Global 6000 aircraft, in an order worth a potential $465 million.    The order is under the Air Force’s Battlefield Airborne Communications Node program.    Bombardier is expected to add around 500 jobs, with around 200 of them in Wichita.

Bombardier also announced that it is establishing a scholarship at Wichita State University.   Tonya Sudduth, newly named as the Head of U.S. Strategy for Bombardier, said the scholarship is a pledge to support education in Wichita and continue to promote the rich aviation culture and talent that has been part of Wichita over the past 60 years.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said the announcement opens a new chapter of partnership and growth, solidifying the role of Kansas as Air Capital of the World.   Kansas Senator Jerry Moran said the assets Kansas has in space and commercial aircraft exceed those of anywhere else in the world, and he is pleased at the company’s decision to increase and establish defense work in Wichita.

Kansas congressman Ron Estes said with the dangers in the world, now is the right time for Bombardier and the Wichita workforce to expand defense capabilities to serve the men and women in uniform.   He said “having Bombardier further integrated into our community is also an exceptional fit for who we are in Kansas.”

[ PHOTO:  Bombardier Executive Vice President Michel Ouellette announcing that Wichita is now the company’s U.S. headquarters ]