Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) is to build a new composite materials facility following the securing of a contract from Vought Industries to manufacture assemblies for the Boeing 787.
The multi-year, $500 million contract calls for IAI to manufacture the 787's Section 47 passenger cabin and cargo compartment floors, and the passenger and cargo door surrounds. IAI, which manufactures fuselage and engine cowling assemblies for the Airbus A330 and Boeing 777, will deliver the first 787 shipset to the Vought facility in South Carolina in August 2006.
"We forecast the manufacture of 100 assemblies each year," says Gadi Choen, general manager of IAI's civil aircraft division. He reveals that to secure the 787 contract, IAI had to lower its prices by almost 40%. IAI is now negotiating with Vought's 787 aerostructures partner Alenia over a contract for additional manufacturing work, and according to Dany Klieman, general manager of IAI's production division, it is also seeking composite work for the Airbus A350.
ARIE EGOZI/TEL AVIV
Source: Flight International
