Boeing

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that Texas will benefit from an estimated 3,000 direct and indirect jobs if it is selected to build the U.S. Air Force's new tanker aircraft fleet. The economic activity generated in Texas will exceed an estimated $125 million annually.

"Replacing our nation's air refueling aircraft fleet is a critical military priority, and the Texas aerospace industry is ready to meet that challenge. Our talented companies will help build the KC-767 and deliver the best tanker available to our sons and daughters serving in the military," said Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Boeing formally submitted its proposal to the Air Force on April 10. The offering, the KC-767 Advanced Tanker (AT), is designed for aerial refueling of other aircraft, but also is able to move cargo, passengers, patients and medical crewmembers. These capabilities, combined with best-in-competition fuel efficiency, global flexibility and space usage, provide a strong value proposition to the Air Force.

"Texans have always played a key role in developing superior technology for the American military, and that proud tradition will continue on the KC-767 Advanced Tanker," said Ron Marcotte, vice president and general manager of Boeing Global Mobility Systems. "Boeing is very fortunate to add the Lone Star State to our team as we compete to replace the KC-135 Stratotanker."

Texas industry will produce a significant share of the KC-767 Advanced Tanker. Vought Aircraft Industries will provide major structures including fuselage sections, horizontal stabilizers and various pressurized doors. Other companies in Texas will supply wire assemblies and other aerospace equipment. Nationwide, more than 44,000 Americans and 300 U.S. suppliers will build and support the Boeing KC-767 Advanced Tanker.

Boeing will assemble the tanker at its facilities in Everett, Wash., using many of the same manufacturing processes that produced almost 1,000 highly reliable and maintainable commercial Boeing 767s. Installation of military refueling systems and flight test activities will take place at the company's finishing center in Wichita, Kan.

The Boeing Global Tanker Team producing the KC-767 Advanced Tanker includes Vought Aircraft Industries, Pratt & Whitney, Rockwell Collins, GE Aviation, Honeywell, Spirit AeroSystems and Delta TechOps. This experienced group of partners has proven expertise in aerial refueling systems, network centric operations, integrated avionics solutions and lean manufacturing concepts, which will offer the Air Force high levels of reliability and unique technical advancements.

Boeing has been designing, building, modifying and supporting tankers for nearly 75 years, with hundreds of KC-135s and KC-10s currently in service with the Air Force. The company is flying KC-767s today and has logged nearly 1,000 hours on the tanker platform. Recently, Boeing demonstrated its advanced air refueling systems by transferring fuel through its fifth-generation boom and extending and retracting the fuselage-mounted and wing-mounted air refueling hoses, both critical milestones for the KC-767 program.