Textron Systems has opened its new unmanned aircraft system training and maintenance facility in Blackstone, Virginia, which will serve as the new home of its training and global service facility for aircraft such as the Textron Aerosonde and Shadow M2.



The new, 14,700-square foot facility adds 1,700 square feet and includes three classrooms and two simulator rooms. It also includes an engine test cell; air vehicle test cell; and space for air vehicle assembly, composite structure and engine maintenance, repair, and operations.



Textron started operations in the area in 2010 for engineering testing, then started a schoolhouse operation a year later, says Bill Irby, Textron Systems senior vice president and general manager. It expanded in the years after to include such functions as logistics, repair and overhaul, and acceptance testing for aircraft it delivers to the military.



There are now about 40 employees at the site, which is named the Unmanned Systems Service and Support Center.



“With this expansion, we have the opportunity to train more operators, maintain additional UAS and continue our research on integrating UAS into national airspace,” Irby says.

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