Boeing has won a $2 billion contract to build new wings for US Air Force Fairchild A-10 attack aircraft. Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman were among losing bidders.
The contract call for the delivery of 242 replacement wing kits for installation by the USAF depot, and will extend the life of the A-10 fleet by at least 20 more years.
The ‘Warthog’ was introduced in 1976 and despite regular threats of retirement remains one of the US Air Force’s most effective close-air support platforms.
Fairchild-Republic closed its doors in 1984 after building more than 700 A-10s. Grumman (later Northrop Grumman) then assumed responsibility for supporting the aircraft. Later Lockheed Martin took over and is upgrading the A-10 under the Precision Engagement programme.
Source: FlightGlobal.com