SYDNEY, March 13, 2013 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has selected Brisbane, Australia-based Ferra Engineering to build wing kits that triple the effective range of the Joint Direct Attack Munition Extended Range (JDAM ER) and allow aircrews to deploy the weapon from beyond the range of an enemy’s air defense system.
The Royal Australian Air Force became Boeing’s first JDAM ER customer in 2011. Boeing builds JDAM weapons in its St. Charles, Mo., facility, about 25 miles west of St. Louis.
"Boeing has been in Australia for 86 years and we have many great local industrial partners doing work across our commercial and defense product lines," said Dennis Muilenburg, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. "Ferra, an innovative, high-technology company, is a leader in that group."
Ferra was Boeing's 2011 International Supplier of the Year. It also does work for the Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter and Commercial Aviation Services group.
"This announcement is another example of how Boeing's investment in technology and innovation in Australia is paying off for industry and our customers," Muilenburg said.
Ian Thomas, president of Boeing Australia & South Pacific, added that the contract "is an all-around win for Australia, for Boeing, and for one of Australia's leading aerospace companies as we combine our expertise to provide the best solutions and products."
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $33 billion business with 59,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.
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Contact:
Allison Bone
Boeing Communications Australia & New Zealand
Office: +61 2 9086 3300
Mobile: +61 468 988 737
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Randy Jackson
Boeing Weapons & Missile Systems
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randy.jackson@boeing.com