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DALLAS, JUNE 11, 2002 - Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc., the world's largest independent producer of aerostructures, today celebrated a major milestone of the delivery of assemblies for the 100th C-17 Globemaster III cargo jet.
For the 100th plane, Boeing is celebrating each major stage of assembly. About 35 events are planned, along with celebrations with each of the C-17's top suppliers. The Boeing Co. in Long Beach, Calif., performs C-17 final assembly and delivery to the U.S. Air Force.
"We are proud of the skill and craftsmanship that go into every part we make on the C-17," said Tom Risley, Vought president and chief executive officer. "The C-17 has proven to be exceptionally valuable in humanitarian and military efforts worldwide. It's an honor to be a Boeing team member on this great program."
Vought is the largest subcontractor to Boeing on the C-17 program. At the company's headquarters in Dallas, Vought fabricates and assembles the engine nacelles, vertical and horizontal stabilizers, and the universal aerial refueling receptacle slipway installation (UARRSI). Vought's work on the C-17 tail sections and engine nacelles includes systems integration and engine build-up. In Milledgeville, Ga., Vought builds the C-17 rudders and elevators, ailerons, and engine cowl doors. Vought has produced these parts for the Boeing C-17 since the program's inception in the early 1980s.
"The 100th C-17 milestone creates an opportunity for us to celebrate with our key suppliers and supporters," says Howard Chambers, vice president and general manager of Boeing Airlift and Tanker Programs. "These events allow us to recognize each of the teams that have a role in assembling the C-17, culminating in a major celebration when we deliver the finished airplane to the U.S. Air Force in October."
In March, Vought signed an agreement with Boeing to produce components for 60 additional C-17 aircraft. The contract for follow-on aircraft, beyond the current delivery of 120 aircraft, represents $1.1 billion in sales for Vought. Work on this program will extend C-17 manufacturing at the company's Dallas and Milledgeville facilities through the year 2008.
It takes about a year to produce and assemble the 9.5 million parts that comprise a C-17 Globemaster III. Each of the advanced transport plans contains 120 miles of wiring, 1.3 million fasteners and 16,000 wiring connections. More than 5,000 Boeing workers are directly responsible for turning out 15 C-17s a year, using parts from more than 2,000 suppliers and more than 200 subcontractors worldwide.
The fully assembled C-17 is nearly five stories high and 174 feet long, with a wingspan of 169 feet, 10 inches. The milestone 100th C-17 is scheduled to roll out of its hangar in October, ready for delivery to the U.S. Air Force.
Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. is the world's largest independent supplier of aerostructures. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the company provides wings, fuselage subassemblies, empennages, nacelles, thrust reversers and other components for prime manufacturers of aircraft. Vought has more than 5,000 employees and annual sales exceeding $1 billion. It has operations in Dallas; Hawthorne, Calif.; Stuart, Fla.; Milledgeville, Ga.; and Perry, Ga. |
