HIGHLIGHTS
Grand Opening of Bell ’ s Weapon Systems Integration Lab
Arlington Named No . 6 Best Sports Business City
Bell Textron Inc ., a Textron Inc . company , announced the grand opening of its Weapon Systems Integration Lab ( WSIL ) in Arlington , Texas . The state-of-theart facility will aid in the safe , rapid , and efficient integration and testing of a next generation fly-by-wire aircraft and mission systems using a modular open systems approach ( MOSA ) for the United States Army .
“ As part of our commitment to deliver advanced fly-by-wire aircraft and MOSA capabilities to our nation ’ s warfighters , Bell is pleased to announce the opening of its latest systems integration lab ,” said Ryan Ehinger , Bell ’ s Senior Vice President and Program Director . “ This dedicated SIL supports the application , verification and validation of Bell ’ s innovative digital engineering approach and open architecture , playing a critical role in delivering outstanding operational performance and versatility to the warfighter .”
“ We are grateful for our partnership with Bell , who has made Arlington the home of its Flight Research Center for nearly six decades now . The Arlington Economic Development Corporation ’ s recent strategic investment shows our city ’ s continued commitment to supporting innovation right here in our backyard ,” Mayor Jim Ross said .
In 2021 , Bell began construction of a new 47,000-square-foot facility in Arlington to house future development programs at its Flight Research Facility . The WSIL is Bell ’ s fifth generation System Integration Lab located at its Flight Research Center . This latest WSIL facility supports end-to-end integration of fly-by-wire systems with state-of-the-art avionics , electrical , hydraulic , flight controls , and mission and sensor systems for multiple current and future programs , manned and unmanned .
Bell and the City of Arlington have a history spanning over 55 years . Beginning in 1967 , the City of Arlington has played a major role in supporting the innovation of flight-testing for new programs at Bell ’ s Flight Research Center .
The WSIL is the first project funded and approved by the Arlington Economic Development Corporation ( EDC ). Formed in 2021 , the EDC seeks to attract and retain community partners , businesses , and workforce members to invest and make their home in Arlington .
Marty Wieder , Executive Director of the EDC explained that this project will facilitate the creation of high-quality jobs that tie into the work being done in engineering , aerospace and aviation at the University of Texas at Arlington and other places .
“ This serves as a great poster child for others who come knocking on the door of the corporation and want to talk about being considered for investment ,” Wieder said . “ It provides a great opportunity for us to hold up to others and say , ‘ this is the type of investment we thought was important for our very first project .’ So that ’ ll help us in being able to point back to Bell and others as this is the type of quality we want to see in Arlington , Texas .”
Sports Business Journal has named Arlington the No . 6 Best Sports Business City , Event Hosting . With 99 square miles , the City is home to six professional teams , each of which plays within fewer than 3 miles of each other . Arlington tops the list among cities like Orlando , Las Vegas , Los Angeles , Atlanta and Indianapolis , as well as ranking number one in Texas among Houston ( 8 ), San Antonio ( 15 ) and Dallas ( 22 ).
Centrally located between Dallas and Fort Worth , the City ’ s busiest venues — AT & T Stadium ( Dallas Cowboys ) and Globe Life Field ( 2023 World Series Champion Texas Rangers ) — sit next to two uniquely renovated facilities . Choctaw Stadium , the Texas Rangers ’ home from 1994 through 2019 , was retrofitted and is now home of the Major League Rugby Dallas Jackals , MLS Next Pro North Texas SC , the UFL Arlington Renegades , and the fan festival during this summer ’ s MLB All-Star Weekend .
Nearby is the 100,000-squarefoot Esports Stadium Arlington & Expo Center . It was the City ’ s original convention center and was renovated in 2018 . Just minutes from that core is the 7,000- seat College Park Center on the University of Texas at Arlington campus , home to the school ’ s basketball and volleyball teams and the WNBA ’ s Dallas Wings .