Bell Textron Inc. and Qarbon Aerospace to
manufacture major subassemblies for the next generation
spaceships
Design work to begin immediately with vehicle
production targeted to commence in 2023
Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPCE) (the “Company” or
“Virgin Galactic”), an aerospace and space travel company, today
announced that it has reached agreement with Bell Textron Inc.
("Bell") and Qarbon Aerospace to manufacture key subassemblies for
the Company’s new Delta class spaceships. The production-model
vehicle is designed to fly weekly with six passengers per ship.
Production is slated to begin in 2023.
Bell, a subsidiary of Textron Inc. with more than 85 years of
manufacturing experience in the aviation industry, will supply the
unique feathering system and flight control surfaces. Qarbon
Aerospace, known for its expertise in constructing large, complex
composite parts for aerospace and aviation, will produce the
fuselage and wing. The companies were selected following a
competitive RFP process based on their ability to meet Virgin
Galactic’s unique design and fabrication requirements.
Virgin Galactic will continue to be responsible for the overall
system architecture, design authority for all components, and the
final assembly, integration, checkout, and acceptance testing of
the vehicles.
“The Delta class spaceships are an evolution of our distinctive
flight system, designed for improved manufacturability, maintenance
and flight rate capability,” said Virgin Galactic CEO Michael
Colglazier. “Bell and Qarbon Aerospace are established partners who
bring know-how, ideas and resources that will enable us to produce
up to six new Delta Class ships per year. Together with Aurora
Flight Sciences, who is producing our next gen motherships, we now
have the primary suppliers in place to propel the production of our
spaceline fleet at scale.”
Bell Vice President of Prototyping and Testing, Glenn Isbell
said, “We are honored Virgin Galactic has chosen Bell to support
flight control technology and aircraft manufacturing for its Delta
Class spaceship program. Bell’s 85-year legacy consists of
revolutionary advancements in vertical lift and space technology,
and we’re thrilled to make this exciting return to space vehicle
development to help bring Virgin Galactic’s vision to life.”
Qarbon Aerospace CEO, Pete Wick said, “We are truly honored that
Virgin Galactic has selected Qarbon Aerospace to play such a
critical role in this cutting-edge technology platform taking
passenger spaceflight to the next level. This is the beginning of
what I know is going to be a long and extremely successful
partnership.”
As previously announced, the spaceships will be assembled at
Virgin Galactic’s new facility in Arizona. The first Delta class
spaceships are expected to commence revenue-generating payload
flights in late 2025, progressing to private astronaut flights in
2026.
“After a highly competitive and methodical selection process, we
are thrilled to be partnering with Bell and Qarbon Aerospace,”
added Swami Iyer, Virgin Galactic President, Aerospace Systems.
"The Delta spaceship manufacturing process will benefit from our
investment in digital twin technology, which enables seamless
integration, real-time collaboration, strong governance, and
increased production efficiency and reliability.”
About Virgin Galactic Holdings
Virgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company,
pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and
researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. It is
developing a spaceflight system designed to connect the world to
the wonder and awe created by space travel and to offer customers a
transformative experience. You can find more information at
https://www.virgingalactic.com/
About Bell
Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 85 years,
we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can
take us. We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound
barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were a part of
NASA’s first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems
to market. Today, we’re defining the future of advanced air
mobility. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around
the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having
served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of
ours. Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional
experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always,
with safety at the forefront.
About Textron
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its
global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance
businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and
services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands
such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex,
Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems. For more
information, visit: www.textron.com.
About Qarbon Aerospace
Qarbon Aerospace, headquartered in Red Oak, Texas, is a leading
provider of large, complex composite and metallic structural
components and assemblies such as fuselages, wings, flight control
surfaces, and engine nacelles and components. Qarbon Aerospace
operates nearly two million square feet of factory space across
three facilities located in Red Oak, Texas, Milledgeville, Georgia,
and Rayong, Thailand. Qarbon Aerospace has vertically integrated
manufacturing capabilities from component fabrication through
large-scale assembly as well as world-leading proprietary
thermoplastics technologies. Qarbon Aerospace has longstanding
relationships with blue-chip OEM customers and a diversified
product portfolio across a variety of successful commercial,
defense, and business jet platforms. Qarbon Aerospace has the
capabilities and resources to solve the market’s toughest
challenges with Quality Assured. You can find more information at
www.QarbonAerospace.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements
within the meaning of federal securities laws with respect to
Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (the "Company"), including
statements regarding the Company’s spaceflight systems, markets and
expected flight schedule. These forward-looking statements
generally are identified by words such as “believe,” “project,”
“expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,”
“opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and
similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions,
projections and other statements about future events that are based
on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are
subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual
future events to differ materially from the forward-looking
statements in this press release, including but not limited to the
factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, as such
factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), accessible on
the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section
of our website at www.virgingalactic.com. These filings identify
and address other important risks and uncertainties that could
cause the Company’s actual events and results to differ materially
from those contained in the forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made.
Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking
statements, and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no
obligation and does not intend to update or revise these
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221102006054/en/
For media inquiries: Aleanna Crane – Vice President
Communications virgingalacticpress@virgingalactic.com
575.800.4422
Jeff Michael – Communications Specialist 661.754.4300
For Investor Relations inquiries: Eric Cerny – Vice
President Investor Relations VG-IR@virgingalactic.com
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