Cobham wins USAF KC-46 tanker engineering subcontracts

July 26, 2011 SHEPARD GROUP Source: Cobham

Cobham has been awarded two subcontracts by Boeing related to the hose and drogue aerial refuelling system that will be used by the US Air Force's new KC-46 tanker aircraft. The contracts, valued in excess of US$73 million, relate to the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the programme, including development hardware.

Earlier this year, the United States Air Force (USAF) selected Boeing to provide the next generation strategic tanker, the KC-46. Shortly thereafter, it was announced that Boeing had selected Cobham to provide the hose and drogue refuelling systems. These systems will be manufactured by Cobham Mission Equipment at its air to air refuelling centre of excellence in Davenport, Iowa. Deliveries on the engineering phase begin in 2014, with low-rate initial production starting in 2015.

The USAF plans to acquire 179 KC-46 tankers from Boeing. Cobham expects to equip each aircraft with a centreline drogue system. Approximately 30 tankers will also be provided with a pair of wing-mounted aerial refuelling pods.