WICHITA,
Kan., July 26, 2013 /CNW/ - Spirit AeroSystems,
Inc., (NYSE: SPR) today celebrated completion of the first forward
fuselage section, Section 41, destined for integration into the
Boeing KC-46A tanker. In a rollout ceremony earlier today, Boeing
and U.S. Air Force representatives joined Spirit leadership and
employees to mark the occasion.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130726/CG54061)
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130515/CG13652LOGO)
"Right now we the fly KC-135R models and they are great and give
gas all over the world. We need to recapitalize the fleet. We need
something better and newer. The KC-46A is the answer. You all are
part of the program and on the team. The stability of the program
is fantastic. I am counting on you to deliver these planes on time
and with high quality so our warfighters can safely, efficiently
and effectively do their job to protect our freedom. Thank you for
everything you have done and keep up the good work," Major General
John
Thompson, U.S. Air Force Program Executive Officer
for Tankers, told those attending the event.
"We are proud to be part of the next generation of aerial
refueling tankers, and to support our war fighters both home and
abroad by providing this critical capability," said Kris Atcheson,
KC-46 program director at Spirit AeroSystems. "Our integrated
product team has been working for several years to design the
next-generation tanker utilizing the latest design and
manufacturing techniques to ensure the highest quality, performance
and safety for Boeing and its end-user customer in the Air
Force."
In June
2011, Spirit was announced as a supplier on the KC-46
program. Spirit is responsible for the forward fuselage section,
strut and nacelle components, and the fixed leading edge for the
KC-46A tanker. Spirit manufactures the Section 41 and strut and
nacelle components at its Wichita, Kan. facility. Production of
the KC-46A is integrated directly into the Boeing 767 commercial
production line at Boeing's Everett facility.
"Boeing is proud to celebrate Spirit AeroSystems' outstanding
performance," said Maureen Dougherty, Boeing vice president
and KC-46 Tanker Program manager. "Our suppliers continue to drive
the successful execution of this program. Thank you for keeping us
on plan to deliver this tremendous capability, the KC-46A, on
schedule to our nation's warfighter."
Boeing has announced it will build 179 next-generation aerial
refueling tanker aircraft that will begin to recapitalize the Air
Force's fleet of 416 KC-135 tankers. Based on the proven Boeing 767
commercial airplane, the KC-46 tanker is a widebody, multi-mission
aircraft updated with the latest and most advanced technology to
meet the demanding mission requirements of the future.
On the web: www.spiritaero.com
On Twitter: @SpiritAero
About Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
Spirit AeroSystems,
with headquarters in Wichita, Kan., USA, is one of the world's largest non-OEM
designers and manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial
aircraft. In addition to its Wichita and Chanute
facilities in Kansas, Spirit has locations in
Tulsa and McAlester,
Okla.; Kinston, N.C.; Nashville,
Tenn.; Prestwick, Scotland;
Preston,
England; Subang, Malaysia; and
Saint-Nazaire, France. In
the U.S., Spirit's core products include fuselages, pylons,
nacelles and wing components. Additionally, Spirit provides
aftermarket customer support services, including spare parts,
maintenance/repair/overhaul, and fleet support services in
North
America, Europe and Asia. Spirit
Europe produces wing components for a
host of customers, including Airbus.
SOURCE Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.