Northrop Grumman and European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. have won a $40 billion contract to build tanker aircraft for the US military.
Much of the work will be done at the Melbourne airport, and it is expected to create 500 jobs, according to Sen. Bill Nelson.
The company has been installing electronics on Air Force planes at Melbourne Airport for several years, but that work is ending so it is welcomed news to Northrop Grumman that the new deal has been struck for them to help build the aerial refueling tanker.
Many people expected the work to go to Boeing.
The new deal means 350 to 500 new jobs in Melbourne with salaries in the range of $100,000 per year.
The business deal is also welcomed news for the city of Melbourne.
Sea Ray's boat manufacturing plant in Brevard County just announced it will cut 350 jobs and NASA confirmed thousands of layoffs at the Kennedy Space Center.
