Boeing has selected Hamble Structures, part of Smiths Aerospace, to supply the wing pylons for the 767 Tanker Transport.
The initial contract is worth $2 million, potentially rising to more than $50 million over the next 20 years. Delivery of the first set of wing pylons will be in mid-2004 for the first Italian Air Force 767 Tanker.
John Ferrie, group managing director of Smiths Aerospace, says: "Smiths was earlier selected by Boeing to design and manufacture the complete Boeing 767 Tanker refuelling system.
"This selection to provide the wing pylon further enhances the integrated systems capability that Smiths offers and allows Boeing to single-source the complete suite of equipment to deliver the refuelling requirement of the 767 Tanker."
The wing pylons are integral to configuring the 767 with wing aerial refuelling pod (WARP) systems. The WARP system provides a significant increase in operational flexibility and allows simultaneous refuelling of more than one receiver.
Refuelling
Smiths says the wing pylons will be manufactured at Hamble Structures in Southampton, England. The contract adds to Smiths' experience in the provision of in-flight refuelling. The company manufactured the wing pylons for all variants of BAE Systems Hawk, Harrier, Tornado and Eurofighter Typhoon.
On the 767 Tanker project, systems provided by Smiths include the in-flight hose and drogue refuelling, mission management, primary power distribution, standby instrumentation and the aerial refuelling boom actuator control system.
Hamble is also manufacturing the complete structures for the centre line hose drum unit as well as the port and starboard wing aerial refuelling pods.
Source: Flight Daily News
