Spirit AeroSystems Inc. has completed the first forward fuselage section, Section 41, destined for integration into the Boeing KC-46A tanker. In a rollout ceremony last Friday, Boeing and U.S. Air Force representatives joined Spirit leadership and employees to mark the occasion.
"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," says Maj. Gen. John Thompson, U.S. Air Force Program Executive Officer for Tankers.
"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," says 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," says 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 officials previously announced the company will build 179 next-generation aerial refueling tanker aircraft, based on the 767 commercial airplane, to supplant the Air Force's fleet of 416 KC-135 tankers.
The first forward fuselage section, Section 41, destined for integration into the Boeing KC-46A tanker.
One day before the ceremony, a Spirit AeroSystems press release announced the lay-off of approximately 360 salaried support and management employees at its Kansas and Oklahoma facilities, citing a ''cost challenge to address,'' despite a backlog of orders worth about $36 billion.
Officials from the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, which represents two bargaining units of engineers and technical workers in Kansas, say the union's list of affected employees includes 47 engineers and 173 technical workers at the Wichita plant. The union, which represents many of the Spirit AeroSystems employees who were laid off, may pursue legal action against the company.
The lay-off news broke amid speculation in the British newspaper, The Daily Mail, that aerospace components group, GKN, may be on the verge of submitting a bid for Spirit AeroSystems for $5 billion in a "cash and shares bid, worth around $35 a share." Bank of America/Merrill Lynch is said to be advising GKN on the deal.
Another report indicates GKN is interested only in buying a Spirit Aerosystems wing factory in Tulsa, Okla., and the U.S. company has hired Morgan Stanley to find a buyer. Officials at both Spirit and GKN declined comment to the press on the purchase speculation.