Business & Tech

Air Force Selects Boeing, Pratt for New Tanker

Boeing will build the aircraft and Pratt will make engines for the next-generation refueling jet.

The Air Force announced today that the engineering and manufacturing development contract valued at more than $35 billion for the KC-46A refueling aircraft is being awarded to Seattle-based Boeing.

That's a huge boost for the area economy because East Hartford-based Pratt & Whitney is the designated engine builder for the project. The KC-46 is a next-generation tanker and is slated to replace the aging fleet of KC-135 refueling aircraft. 

Announcements were made on both the U.S. Department of Defense and Boeing Web sites. Pratt is a subsidiary of the Hartford-based United Technologies Corp. 

The Air Force-led selection effort included experts from the entire Department of Defense umbrella, including the defense secretary's staff and independent review teams. 

"Many factors were evaluated during the tanker selection process,” said Secretary of the U.S. Air Force Michael Donley. 

Selection "took into account mission effectiveness in wartime and life cycle costs as embodied in fuel efficiency and military construction costs," Donley said.  

The first 18 aircraft are scheduled for a 2017 delivery. Basing decisions for the aircraft will take place over the next couple of years, the Department of Defense said. Boeing will replace 179 of the Air Force's 400 KC-135 tankers. Each KC-46 has two engines.

Engine assembly will take place at Pratt's Middletown plant. Many Pratt engineers and line workers live in north central Connecticut. 

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy hailed the decision of the Air Force and praised the public-private effort to land the contract. 

 “Our Congressional delegation, especially Congressman [John] Larson, is to be congratulated for their efforts in ensuring jobs stay in Connecticut," Malloy said. "These manufacturing jobs are great news for a sector which has been particularly hard hit. Pratt & Whitney has been hard at work for decades building a skilled labor force and excellent reputation, and the recent contracts they have been awarded demonstrate the success of their efforts. My administration is working to rebuild the state’s economy and stabilize the business environment. This contract is particularly meaningful as it will help move Connecticut in the right direction. This is excellent news for Pratt & Whitney and for the state. I applaud the Department of Defense['s] choice to buy American.”


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