Boeing

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has reached an agreement with Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corporation [NYSE: UTX], for the price and terms under which it will supply engines for the KC-767 Advanced Tanker. As a result, Pratt & Whitney becomes eligible to supply its PW4062 engines if Boeing is awarded the U.S. Air Force KC-X contract later this year.

"With more than 80 years of experience meeting the U.S. Air Force's engine needs, it makes sense to use Pratt & Whitney as an engine provider for the next generation tanker," said Ron Marcotte, vice president and general manager of Boeing Global Mobility Systems. "This high-performance, extremely reliable engine will allow future tanker aircrews to operate out of short-runway airfields and provide them maximum fuel offload performance."

Boeing's agreement with Pratt & Whitney followed a best-value competition that focused on engine technical requirements like enhanced thrust and fuel efficiency, as well as logistics support, acquisition and total ownership cost, management and past performance factors. Pratt & Whitney's engines can be found on many commercial airplanes including Boeing's 747-400 and 767, and various military aircraft like the C-17, F-15 and KC-135.

"The Air Force needs the most capable, advanced engine to power its KC-X Tanker, and the PW4062 answers that critical requirement," said William Begert, vice president, international programs and business development, Pratt & Whitney. "We're proud to have reached agreement with Boeing and eager to help win this competition."

The Global Tanker Team that will produce the KC-767 Advanced Tanker also includes Smiths Aerospace, Rockwell Collins, Vought Aircraft Industries, Honeywell, and Spirit AeroSystems.

Boeing has built nearly 2,000 tankers in its history and is currently producing four KC-767 tankers each for Italy and Japan.