Boeing

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has announced an agreement with Fluid Mechanisms, Long Island, N.Y, to support the proposed HH-47 Combat Search and Rescue helicopter program for the U.S. Air Force.

"Boeing is tremendously proud of its HH-47 proposal and our team members," said Rick Lemaster, Boeing's HH-47 program manager. "Fluid Mechanisms is emblematic of the quality our suppliers bring to the table and we are confident their involvement will be a major factor in winning the CSAR-X competition."

CSAR-X is a U.S. Air Force initiative to procure more capable and survivable aircraft able to recover isolated personnel from hostile or denied territory. The tandem rotor, heavy lift, high altitude HH-47 is based on the CH/MH-47 Chinook tandem rotor transport helicopter, with performance characteristics and capabilities that have been widely exploited in the ongoing war on terror, and on the domestic front as well.

Fluid Mechanisms of Hauppauge, Inc., will supply the machine package for the aft pylon and ramp sections of the HH-47's airframe, including 242 machined components and assemblies and an additional 172 purchased parts and assemblies.

"The HH-47's successful future will be synonymous with Fluid Mechanism's success," said Fluid Mechanisms Chief Executive Officer Richard Coronato. "We have established a solid foundation in support of Boeing through training, investments and overall business commitments. We have embraced Model Based Definition (MBD) and understand it is the future for manufacturing and assembly for the aerospace industry."

Fluid Mechanisms is an AS9100 certified manufacturer with expertise in the machining and assembly of aerospace structural components. As a Boeing integrated supplier, the company utilizes Boeing engineering information in a fully digital Model Based Definition format eliminating the need for paper and blueprints. Engineering and planning departments use a CATIA viewer for direct analysis of electronic models. Fluid Mechanisms also upgraded its coordinate measuring machine software to allow for direct translation and programming at the inspection level, and overhauled supporting documentation and information management on the shop floor.