Press Releases

WASHINGTON—Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) applauded a contract awarded today from the National Nuclear Security Administration's  (NNSA) Office of Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation to Wichita-based Textron Aviation. The $32 million acquisition contract will be used to procure three new King Air Extended Range Aircraft (KA 350 ER) specially manufactured to respond to threats and conduct aerial surveys.These aircraft replace 35-year-old King Airs that constitute NNSA's continuous nationwide response capability to a radiological or nuclear accident or incident.

"From general aviation to protecting national security, the significant impact of our community's aerospace manufacturing industry continues to grow," said Rep. Estes. "This contract is great news for the hardworking employees at Textron Aviation and our entire region."

As part of the Department of Energy, one of NNSA's core missions is to prevent, counter, and respond to nuclear and radiological proliferation and terrorism threats and incidents worldwide. NNSA’s counterterrorism, counterproliferation and nuclear incident response programs are in place to respond to stolen or misplaced radioactive materials, a nuclear weapon out of the control of a nation-state (“loose nuke”), an improvised nuclear device, or any accidental release of radiation that poses a threat to the public health and safety.

Ron Estes is a 5th generation Kansan and represents Kansas’ 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means.