Georgia in line for major Boeing contract

November 7, 2007

The Boeing Co. says Georgia will benefit from an estimated 600 direct and indirect jobs if it is selected to build the U.S. Air Force's new tanker aircraft fleet. The economic activity generated in Georgia will exceed an estimated $25 million annually.

The Air Force is expected to announce its choice for a contractor next month.

Boeing formally submitted its proposal to the Air Force on April 10.

The KC-767 advanced tanker is designed for aerial refueling of other aircraft, but also is able to move cargo, passengers, patients and medical crews.

"With Delta TechOps and other valuable Georgia suppliers on our team, we're able to propose the most capable, flexible tanker ever created," says Dave Bowman, VPand GM of Boeing Global Mobility Systems. "The KC-767 also provides superior fuel efficiency and lower life cycle, support and training costs that will save the Air Force approximately $8.5 billion over the next 25 years."

Delta TechOps, a division of Delta Air Lines, will provide commercial support services for the KC-767 interim contractor support program, leveraging its experience in supporting commercial and commercial derivative platforms.

In addition, Georgia industry will provide mechanical systems and machined aerospace parts for the new tanker if Boeing is selected for the contract. Nationwide, 44,000 Americans and 300 suppliers would design, build and support the Boeing KC-767.

Boeing has been designing, building, modifying and supporting tankers for nearly 75 years, with hundreds of KC-135s and KC-10s currently in service with the Air Force. The company is flying KC-767s today and has logged nearly 1,000 hours on the tanker platform.