Delaware County’s rich helicopter heritage continues to fly high despite dwindling defense funding, the rise of drones and robots, and former helicopter factories turned into stores, offices, and service shops.

At almost 5,000 personnel, Boeing’s operation in Ridley Park is Philly’s biggest industrial employer, and the helicopters it makes are still elite choices for the U.S. military.

“The Chinook has been our mainstay here for more than 50 years. It’s got another 50 years, the Army says. It’s a great platform,” Boeing production center leader Gary Baker said in a Philadelphia Inquirer report by Joseph DiStefano.

And the Osprey is the Marines’ top choice for carrying troops, U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan said in the article. The helicopter is also used for emergency relief missions and future refueling operations, and there are prospects for equipping it with new weapons and outfitting it for the Air Force.

“This industry defines our region,” Meehan said.

Boeing has plans for the Ridley Park plant to manufacture 50 Chinooks this year, each at a price of $30 million, as well as fuselages for 21 Ospreys, which carry a finished price tag of more than $70 million.

Click here to read more about the genesis of Delaware County’s helicopter heritage and the technologies forcing modern changes.