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Issue 28 - October 23, 2007

In this issue of the EADS North America Tanker Activity Update:

•	Aerial refueling center of excellence is planned in West Virginia for the Northrop Grumman KC-30 Tanker
•	Five additional A330-200s to be acquired by Grupo Marsans

Aerial refueling center of excellence is planned in West Virginia for the Northrop Grumman KC-30 Tanker

Bridgeport, West Virginia has been selected as the site for a new aerial refueling center of excellence, which will provide key components for Northrop Grumman’s KC-30 Tanker if the aircraft is selected to replace the U.S. Air Force’s aging KC-135 aerial refueling fleet.

This new facility will produce and support EADS’ advanced Aerial Refueling Boom System, along with Cobham’s under-wing hose and drogue refueling system, developed with its U.S. subsidiary, Sargent Fletcher.  It will employ at least 100 skilled workers, and is to co-locate the operations of EADS North America and Sargent Fletcher into two adjacent facilities at Harrison County’s North Central West Virginia Regional Airport.

Announcement of West Virginia’s selection for the aerial refueling center of excellence was made October 19 in the state capitol at Charleston.  This project represents an investment of over $8.5 million in West Virginia, and will create 100-plus jobs when full employment levels are reached.  

In the photo at right, EADS North America Chairman and CEO Ralph Crosby describes the KC-30 Tanker’s operational advantages to West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin. Crosby said West Virginia was chosen after an examination of several potential U.S. locations, with the decision factors including a strong combination of location, community support and skilled workforce.

EADS North America will supply the KC-30 Tanker’s fly-by-wire refueling boom from its new 32,000 sq. ft. production site at Bridgeport, while Sargent Fletcher is to build the aircraft’s two digital under-wing hose and drogue pods at an adjacent 25,000 sq. ft. facility.  

The EADS centerline-mounted boom will be controlled by an operator seated at the KC-30 Tanker’s RARO (Remote Aerial Refueling Operator) console behind the cockpit. The RARO station uses a 3D-vision surveillance system, giving a high-fidelity visual representation of the boom’s deployment. In addition, EADS’ application of fly-by-wire technology provides highly accurate control for the advanced boom, and significantly improves its maintainability.

Also incorporated on the KC-30 Tanker will be Sargent Fletcher’s all-digital FRL 905E-series hose and drogue refueling pods, located under the wings. Sargent Fletcher has been the leader in military hose and drogue refueling systems for over 65 years, supplying refueling pods for all of the U.S. armed forces.

As with the EADS boom, Sargent Fletcher’s hose and drogue refueling system for the KC-30 Tanker provides a proven, low risk solution that meets Air Force mission requirements, provides low life cycle costs, and creates commonality across the service’s inventory.  Sargent Fletcher and its Cobham parent company have manufactured over 2,000 aerial refueling pods, along with more than 1 million external fuel tanks, and in excess of 1,000 special purpose pods.

Both the Sargent Fletcher FRL 905E-series refueling pods and EADS’ advanced boom for the KC-30 Tanker also have been selected to equip Australia’s KC-30B tanker fleet, with the first Royal Australian Air Force aircraft already outfitted with these systems.

Five additional A330-200s to be acquired by Grupo Marsans

Grupo Marsans, the largest tourism and transport group in Spain, has signed for five additional A330-200s – adding to its previous order for 12 of the twin-engine jetliners.  This latest commitment further expands the A330’s order book, which ensures high-rate production and technical support over the long term.

The A330 already is the aircraft of choice for more than 60 customers and operators around the world, and is the leader in its class with a commanding market share and a continually growing operator base.

Through the end of September 2007, a total of 824 orders had been booked for the A330, with 495 aircraft delivered.

Contact:
Guy Hicks
Vice President – Communications and Public Relations
EADS North America
Tel: 703 236-3300
e-mail: guy.hicks@eads-na.com