Mineral Wells Area News

Economic development officials say the operation could eventually bring more than 400 jobs as Mineral Wells positions itself as a hub for unmanned aircraft and defense technology.

Reporting By Amy Meyer & Gary Norman| Mineral Wells Area News

A new chapter in Mineral Wells’ long military aviation history is taking shape at Mineral Wells Regional Airport, where XMX Defense has broken ground on an unmanned aircraft operation local economic development officials say could eventually employ more than 400 people.

XMX Defense marked the beginning of its Mineral Wells operations Saturday, Oct. 3, with a groundbreaking at the airport. Construction and buildout of existing airport facilities are already underway to support unmanned aircraft assembly, integration, engineering, maintenance, training and flight operations.

XMX Defense is an American defense technology company developing advanced unmanned aircraft systems for defense, government and special-mission applications. Its portfolio includes smaller tactical systems as well as the ROGUE 450, a hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft designed for longer-endurance missions.

“Most of us in the company are veterans of some kind,” XMX Defense co-founder and CEO Clay Kroschel said. “We have decades of experience across the military, aviation, and unmanned systems — and we’ve built XMX around a mission to provide the technology and capabilities that help bring our men and women home safe.”

Kroschel said the company is honored to bring that work to Mineral Wells, a community with a long history in military aviation.

More than 400 jobs projected at full buildout

Details about the potential scale of the Mineral Wells operation were discussed during a recent meeting of the Mineral Wells Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 2 board.

Mineral Wells Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Nate Dyhre told board members the operation is expected to bring together multiple companies and capabilities involving unmanned aircraft and defense technology.

“When it’s all said and done, with all those parts coming together, when they’re fully built out, they are anticipating over 400 employees,” Dyhre said.

Dyhre described aircraft planned for the Mineral Wells operation as substantially larger than the small consumer drones familiar to most people, telling the board some are approximately 22 feet long.

He said the operation is expected to bring together capabilities involving aircraft assembly, injection molding, 3D printing, engines and other defense-related technology.

XMX has leased multiple existing facilities at Mineral Wells Regional Airport and has begun preparing them for operations. The initial buildout will support aircraft and systems work, engineering, maintenance and flight operations.

Dyhre told the TIRZ board that XMX has entered into a long-term lease for the city-owned Downing Hangar and has leased additional facilities at the airport.

Longer-term plans discussed at the meeting include construction of a new build-to-suit facility as the Mineral Wells operation expands.

Texas Unmanned Systems Defense Center of Excellence

XMX is also establishing the Texas Unmanned Systems Defense Center of Excellence in Mineral Wells.

According to the company, the initiative is intended to bring defense and unmanned-systems companies together around shared infrastructure, collaboration and operations.

XMX said it is already in discussions with additional defense and unmanned-systems companies interested in participating in the center. Additional details are expected as those plans are finalized.

Dyhre, an Army veteran, told TIRZ board members the concept is similar to the centers of excellence used by branches of the military as hubs for specialized training, certification and expertise.

Public investment in airport facility

Mineral Wells is also investing in improvements to the city-owned Downing Hangar to prepare the facility for the company’s operations.

During its recent meeting, the TIRZ No. 2 board approved reallocating approximately $267,600 in previously budgeted funds toward the Downing Hangar project.

According to the board’s agenda, TIRZ No. 2 is responsible for a 66% share of the project, while the Mineral Wells Economic Development Corp. is responsible for 34%.

Officials said work needed at the hangar includes improvements involving the roof, air conditioning, mold remediation and the existing fire-suppression system.

The TIRZ contribution will come through a reallocation of money already included in the budget rather than an increase in the overall TIRZ budget.

The city will retain ownership of the Downing Hangar while leasing it for the company’s operations.

Dyhre told board members XMX will make additional investments in equipment and improvements necessary for its operation.

From Fort Wolters to unmanned aircraft

The arrival of XMX also reconnects Mineral Wells with a history that helped define the community for decades.

Mineral Wells was once home to Fort Wolters, the U.S. Army’s primary helicopter training center during much of the Vietnam War era. The Texas Army National Guard continues to maintain a training area on part of the former Fort Wolters property.

Mineral Wells Mayor Pro Tem Beth Watson drew a connection between that history and the technology now coming to the city’s airport.

“There’s a real through-line in Mineral Wells’ aviation history,” Watson said. “This community helped train a generation of helicopter pilots when vertical flight was changing the way the Army operated.”

“Decades later, the next generation of vertical flight technology is coming to our airport through unmanned aircraft,” she added. “We’re proud to welcome XMX and excited to see these facilities put back to work.”

Parker County Economic Development Council Executive Director Chris Strayer said the project could also contribute to a larger aerospace and defense industry developing across the region.

“Mineral Wells sits in a unique position,” Strayer said. “It’s connected to the aerospace and defense strength of North Texas, but it also has the space and infrastructure to grow something of its own.”

Strayer said unmanned-aircraft companies have helped generate clusters of suppliers, manufacturers, engineers and technology companies elsewhere in the country, creating the possibility for economic benefits extending beyond Mineral Wells.

Saturday’s groundbreaking brought together XMX leadership with state and local officials and civic leaders from Palo Pinto and Parker counties.

Following the groundbreaking, attendees toured airport facilities being prepared for XMX operations before gathering for a reception at the Crazy Water Hotel.

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