Maine Governor John E. Baldacci and Kestrel Aircraft Co. (Brunswick Landing, Maine) announced on July 23 the selection of the soon-to-be decommissioned Naval Air Station Brunswick (NASB) as the company’s new headquarters. Kestrel plans to develop, certify and manufacture its $2.5 million Kestrel JP10 at the site. The move reportedly involves a more than $100 million investment and is expected to support more than 300 jobs in full production.

The JP10, a carbon fiber composites-intensive six- to eight-seat turboprop, is the latest embodiment of a concept originally developed by Richard Noble, whose Thrust SSC jet car once held the world land speed record. Although Noble’s first air effort, at Farnborough Aircraft in 1998, failed to make the concept work as an air taxi, Kestrel’s CEO and chairman, Alan Klapmeier, is committed to the JP10’s FAA certification, with Farnborough as a partner. (Klapmeier, with his brother Dale, cofounded Duluth, Minn.-based Cirrus Aircraft Co.) Kestrel’s development, certification and initial production are scheduled to begin this fall with the aid of Farnborough Aircraft alumnus Anthony Galley.

Powered by a 1,000-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B, the JP10 is expected to deliver 350-knot speed, short-field takeoff capability, and a 1,500 nautical mile range.