Groundbreaking for the KC-45 Tanker Manufacturing Facilities Set for June 28

The ceremony has been scheduled pending the outcome of the Government Accountability Office review of the tanker contract award. "We anticipate a favorable decision and look forward to starting construction on this historic facility," said Ronald D. Sugar, Northrop Grumman chairman and chief executive officer. "We're committed to transformingMobile into the centerpiece of an expanding aerospace corridor."

"This event underscores the fact that we are ready to get to work now," Sugar said. "We need to move forward quickly to provide our men and women in uniform what the Air Force has identified as its number-one acquisition priority -- the new refueling tankers they so desperately need."

Northrop Grumman and EADS North America are committed to the U.S. Air Force and also have contractual agreements in place with one another, the state ofAlabama and the city ofMobile to ensure construction of the facilities is ready to move forward.

"We are excited that Brookley Field will once again be a hub of American military aircraft manufacturing," said Rep. Jo Bonner ofAlabama's 1st Congressional District. "There is no doubt thatMobile is poised to be the crown jewel of a rapidly growing aerospace center of excellence in the Southeastern United States, bringing thousands of jobs and creating endless opportunities for our entire region."

EADS North America will deliver the KC-45 aircraft platform to Northrop Grumman. Airbus, an EADS company, is responsible for manufacturing at its Mobile final assembly facility and will assemble, test and certify the aircraft before delivery. Following delivery to Northrop Grumman, the aircraft will receive the necessary military modifications to turn the commercial airframe into a U.S. Air Force KC-45 Tanker. In keeping with U.S. Department of Defense requirements, only Northrop Grumman and U.S. government employees with appropriate security clearances will militarize the tanker aircraft.

"EADS North America is fully committed to providing Northrop Grumman with an aircraft built in the U.S.," said Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., EADS North America chairman and chief executive officer. "More importantly, our men and women in uniform require and deserve the most capable system available. They have been waiting far too long for a modern tanker. Our entire team is ready to get to work now."

Northrop Grumman's architectural and engineering firm for the facility, BRPH Companies Inc., was selected last year and is prepared for the construction phase. Northrop Grumman's facility is scheduled for completion and initial operation late next year. BRPH is leading a team consisting of KBR'sMobile office and Thompson Engineering, headquartered inMobile.

The groundbreaking ceremony occurs just a few days after the 60th anniversary of the start of the Berlin Airlift. This is significant because Brookley Field was the base from which C-54 transport aircraft supported the airlift.

About the KC-45

The KC-45 Tanker aircraft will be assembled inMobile, Ala., and the KC-45 team will employ 48,000 American workers at 230 U.S. companies in 49 states. It will be built by a world-class industrial team led by Northrop Grumman, and includes EADS North America, General Electric Aviation and Sargent Fletcher.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

SOURCE Northrop Grumman Corporation

Copyright © 2008, PRNewswire
Copyright © 2008, NewsBlaze, Daily News

Tags: Aviation and Airlines, Aerospace and defense, district of columbia, Alabama

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