White Plains, New York- The Engineered Fabrics Corp. (EFC), part of K&F Industries Holdings Inc., is to supply Boeing Co. with flexible polyurethane fuel tanks for the B-52 military aircraft.
A four-year agreement to provide the bladder fuel tanks, tooling and engineering to Boeing is part of a US Air Force (USAF) initiative to maintain its ageing bomber fleet, said a K&F statement. The deal is expected to generate sales of about $14 million. EFC expects to deliver the first tanks to Boeing in the first quarter of 2007.
A strategic heavy bomber and missile launcher, the B-52 design is 50 years old. USAF's current B-52 fleet, delivered between 1961 and 1962, is currently undergoing maintenance and upgrading to extend their lives beyond 2040, said the announcement.
B-52Hs have seven fuselage fuel cells, with total capacity of nearly 18 000 gallons. This gives them a range of more than 10 000 miles, allowing the plane to carry out intercontinental air strikes without refuelling.
"EFC was selected due to our high level of technical expertise and the superior construction required in the maintenance and upgrade of this versatile bomber," said Kenneth Schwartz, president and ceo of K&F Industries, in the company statement.
"The agreement represents a further expansion of our existing large fleet of military aircraft, and marks the first time K & F products will be used on the B-52," Schwartz added.
EFC calls itself "the leading supplier of flexible bladder fuel tanks for aircraft and helicopters for the US military, worldwide commercial transport and general aviation markets." EFC is also the only FAA-certified US supplier of polyurethane manufactured fuel tanks, the firm said.
EFC says its self-sealing, crash-resistant fuel tanks "significantly reduce the potential for fires, leaks and spilled fuel." EFC also makes de-icing equipment and speciality coated fabrics for storage, shipping, environmental and rescue applications for the commercial and military markets, the firm said.
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