The U.S. Air Force’s $325 million contract for new UH-1N helicopters will keep hundreds of jobs at the Boeing factory in Ridley Township, writes Joseph DiStefano for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The contract is the first part of what is expected to be a $2.38 billion purchase by the Air Force, according to the secretary of the Air Force, Heather Wilson. At present, Boeing anticipates that the Air Force will buy anywhere up to 80 of the UH-1N helicopters, plus support equipment. Boeing managed to beat out its main rival Lockheed and other bidders to win the contract.

“The new helicopter will be an important tool for airmen charged with securing and defending the nation’s intercontinental ballistic missiles,” the Air Force said in its statement.

If the contract survives potential challenges from the other bidders, it will keep 500 jobs in the Philadelphia area, with many of them working at Boeing’s plant in Ridley Township.

“It’s not going to ramp up hiring” at Boeing, but the new Air Force contract will keep workers at the Delaware County facility busy “militarizing” the ships after they are built at Leonardo’s factory, said Boeing’s Jerry Dreeling.

Read more about the new helicopter contract in the Philadelphia Inquirer here.