Representative Ronny Jackson Announces New Contract For Amarillo’s Bell Helicopter

Representative Ronny Jackson Announces New Contract For Amarillo’s Bell Helicopter

Representative Ronny Jackson announced Friday that as a result of funding he helped secure in the Fiscal Year 2026 defense appropriations bill, Bell Textron Inc. in Amarillo was awarded a contract to support the Structural and Power Improvements for NextGen Effects program, a critical modernization effort that will enhance the performance and longevity of the U.S. Marine Corps’ AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopter fleet.

The funding will sustain the highly skilled workforce at Bell’s Amarillo facility, support advanced manufacturing and engineering jobs, continue to strengthen the region’s defense industrial base, and reinforce Amarillo’s longstanding role as a premier hub for military aviation production and modernization. It also underscores the enduring partnership between Bell, the U.S. Marine Corps, and industry partners in providing next-generation capabilities to America’s warfighters and ensuring the H-1 fleet will remain relevant to the Joint Force for decades to come.