Iowa Giant To Supply Primary Avionics

Using technology developed across its government and commercial programs, Rockwell Collins has earned a major role on an important new global tanker program worth $260 million in anticipated sales to the company over a 10-year period.

Boeing has selected the Cedar Rapids (IA)-based company to provide key avionics and support for the new 767 Tanker Transport program. Rockwell Collins is responsible for the development, production and integrated fleet support phases of the program. Rockwell Collins will provide communications and navigation equipment, and will modify the commercial 767 display systems to incorporate military tanker mission capabilities. Additionally, Collins Aviation Services will provide Integrated Fleet Support including repair, spares ownership and field service engineering for these avionics.

"We are proud to be Boeing's strategic supplier for this important new aircraft platform," said Greg Churchill, executive vice president and COO of Rockwell Collins Government Systems. "This selection by Boeing demonstrates our ability to combine our commercial, military and service capabilities to bring value-added solutions to the military marketplace."

The Italian Air Force and the Japan Air Self Defense Force have already selected the aircraft for their tanker missions. The U.S. Department of Defense has approved the lease of 100 KC-767A tankers, to replace aging KC-135s (as seen over Iraq, above, with fast little sucklings). The lease details are being reviewed by Congress.

"Additionally, we anticipate an increase in sales when the aircraft is further embraced in the international marketplace," said Churchill.

Rockwell Collins will modify some current commercial applications, including the 767-400 Large Format Display System (LFDS), and 767-200 Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) and Engine Indication and Crew Alert System (EICAS) to support the unique tanker mission requirements. Additionally, the company will provide a suite of commercial communications, navigation and sensor products that includes weather radar, EFIS/EICAS modifications and SATCOM.

FMI: www.rockwellcollins.com; www.boeing.com