Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. company, announced a $5.8 million, multi-site investment across Southeast Louisiana to expand manufacturing and engineering operations of advanced military vehicles and naval systems for the United States and allied customers. The projects span three of the company’s existing facilities in St. Tammany and Orleans parishes, positioning the company for continued long-term operations in the region and supporting growth of the state’s defense industrial base.
Cumulatively across all three projects, the company is expected to create 133 direct new jobs while retaining 761 current positions. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in an additional 223 indirect new jobs, for a total of 356 potential new job opportunities in the Southeast Region.
“America’s military depends on strong domestic manufacturing, and Louisiana is building the equipment our service members and allies rely on,” Governor Jeff Landry said. “Textron Systems’ investment expands defense manufacturing and shipbuilding in Southeast Louisiana, strengthening our national defense and reinforcing our role in supporting America’s military.”
Textron Systems is a leading defense contractor specializing in advanced military systems, marine craft and aerospace technologies, supporting critical U.S. defense programs. Textron Systems has maintained a presence in Southeast Louisiana since 1980, with operations in St. Tammany and Orleans parishes supporting defense manufacturing and marine systems for U.S. military programs.
“Textron Systems is proud of our decades-long history of economic development and employment in the St. Tammany and Orleans parishes,” Textron Systems Senior Vice President Marine Systems Ryan Schaffernocker said. “Thanks to our partnership with the state of Louisiana, these capital investments and retention and hiring initiatives will enable us to support further growth in the community while enhancing our offerings to our U.S. military and international customers.”
The projects will be developed in phases, beginning with investments at the Gause Boulevard facility in 2026, followed by expanded manufacturing capacity at the Stone Road. Operations will continue throughout each phase.
“Textron Systems’ expansion across multiple sites in Southeast Louisiana reinforces our state’s leadership in advanced manufacturing while creating meaningful job opportunities for our people,” LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said. “By layering innovation onto our existing strengths in manufacturing and shipbuilding, this investment strengthens Louisiana’s impact on critical defense programs and positions our workforce for long-term growth.”
To secure the projects in the Southeast Region, the state of Louisiana offered Textron Systems a competitive incentives package that includes the comprehensive workforce development solutions of LED FastStart and a $600,000 performance-based grant tied to equipment investments and infrastructure improvements. The company is also expected to participate in the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption and High Impact Jobs programs.
“Textron Systems’ continued investment in Southeast Louisiana underscores the strength of our region as a hub for advanced manufacturing and defense innovation,” President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. Michael Hecht said. “From next-generation military vehicles to naval shipbuilding, these projects enhance the region’s role in supporting critical national defenses while driving job growth and investment. GNO, Inc. is proud to have worked with LED and St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation to help support this expansion through incentive coordination, workforce discussions with higher education partners and our ongoing collaboration with Textron Systems through the RAAMP initiative.”