Boeing

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Sargent Fletcher, Inc., of El Monte, Calif., a Cobham plc [LSE: COB] company, to provide the body fuel tank system for the KC-767 Advanced Tanker (AT).

"With these body fuel tanks, the KC-767's usable fuel capacity exceeds what the U.S. Air Force requires," said Mark McGraw, vice president, Boeing Tanker Programs. "Sargent Fletcher's system extends the KC-767's range and off-load capacity without sacrificing size."

Boeing's choice of Sargent Fletcher followed a best-value source selection process that focused on technical readiness, price and supportability. The MOA provides the terms under which Sargent Fletcher may be awarded subcontracts for the fuel tank system if the KC-767AT is selected in the U.S. Air Force's KC-X tanker competition.

Boeing formally submitted its KC-X proposal to the Air Force on April 10. The offering, the KC-767 Advanced Tanker, 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.

The Boeing Global Tanker Team producing the KC-767 Advanced Tanker includes Delta TechOps, Rockwell Collins, Vought Aircraft Industries, Pratt & Whitney, Smiths Aerospace, Honeywell and Spirit AeroSystems. 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 produced nearly 2,000 tankers in its history and currently is building four KC-767 tankers each for Italy and Japan.