Deal with build Boeing drone factory at Wellcamp was inked in four months

The Wagners moved fast to secure the Boeing Loyal Wingman assembly plant for the city and got the deal inked in about four months.

John Wagner from Wellcamp Airport. Boeing to produce Loyal Wingman at Wellcamp Aerospace Precinct. Boeing to produce Loyal Wingman at Wellcamp Aerospace Precinct. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Earthworks are expected to start at the Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precinct in about six weeks for Boeing Defence Australia’s new drone assembly plant and with it new industries in Toowoomba.

Wagner Corporation chairman John Wagner revealed construction would then start in early 2022.

The project is forecast to bring about 300 jobs during the construction phase and 70 hi-tech manufacturing jobs.

When complete, Boeing will pump out its Loyal Wingman drones for the Australian Defence Force and for export to allied countries.

The deal was announced on Wednesday, about four months after Boeing and the Wagners first floated the idea.

“We do things quickly at Wellcamp,” Mr Wagner said.

The Loyal Wingman drone was designed in Australia to fly alongside manned aircraft, carrying bombs or helping to identify and track targets.

It will have a flight range of about 3700km.

While the project is dependent on the ADF placing an order for the drones, Mr Wagner is confident it will go ahead.

“They will be a long-term tenant,” he said.

John Wagner, Qld Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Cameron Dick announced Boeing would produce its Loyal Wingman drone at the Wellcamp Aerospace Precinct. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Importantly it is hoped Boeing will be the first of many tenants to move into the aerospace precinct with the Wagner Corporation in talks with up to six major national and international companies.

“They are all in the aerospace and aviation industry,” Mr Wagner said.

Today the site is just a bare field, but Mr Wagner said the Boeing officials had seen the potential.

“They needed a nice long runway, and they needed access to the air space which we have,” he said.

Any test flights done with newly assembled drones must be done in “military airspace” which is about 10,000 feet above sea level.

Mr Wagner said there would be less air traffic at Wellcamp compared to airports in the capital cities.

“We also have about 315 clear flying days each year,” he said.

“That is days that are not fogged in.”

A concept map for the Wellcamp Airport Aerospace Precinct.

Aside from the site-specific benefits, Mr Wagner said Boeing shared his family’s focus on building a sustainable aerospace hub.

“Our values aligned from the start,” he said.

“We want to get as close to zero-net emissions as possible, but there is more to it than emissions.

“It is about being part of the local community, making the business part of the community, and we see Wellcamp very much as a community asset even though we own it.”

The project is expected to bring about $1 billion to Toowoomba’s economy over the first 10 years – from jobs and wages to suppliers who will fabricate components before the final assembly.