St. Louis, MO  (KTRS)  About 2000 new jobs will be created at Boeing’s St. Louis defense plant if it wins a military contract for its new training jet.

Boeing today unveiled its T-X Air Force training jet, and is now vying for a $16-billion government contract to make more. The T-X replaces the fleet of aging T-38 aircraft, and would be used in military training for fighter pilots.

“Today’s announcement is further proof that Boeing’s St. Louis workforce is among the best and most innovative in the country,” said Senator Claire McCaskill, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee. “Boeing’s T-X program is truly the future of U.S. Air Force training and the right choice for training future generations of pilots right here in Missouri.”

Senator Claire McCaskill tells KTRS News that the rising tensions between the U-S and North Korea is just one example of why we need the most advanced, well-prepared, and highly trained military.

The Air Force contract is expected to be awarded by the end of this year.