Facility Would Build The KC-45 Tanker Airframe, If It Is Selected

EADS North America has further expanded its industrial presence with a new Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Delivery Center at the Mobile Regional Airport to better support EADS’ family of tactical multi-mission aircraft.

The new 30,000 square-foot facility will provide North American operators of the C-212 and CN-235 tactical transports with the capabilities of a certified FAA Repair Station, as well as direct support from the aircraft manufacturer. The C-212 and CN-235 are used by a variety of military and civil operators, including the U.S. Coast Guard, which is building up a fleet of HC-144A Ocean Sentry maritime patrol aircraft based on the CN-235.

Mobile Mayor Sam Jones, Mobile City Council President Reggie Copeland, Mobile County Commission President Mike Dean and company officials participated today in a grand opening ceremony for the new center, which expands upon an already-existing EADS CASA North America facility that has provided training, spares and customer support since 2005.

The ceremony was also the venue to announce the renaming of EADS CASA North America to Airbus Military North America, an EADS North America company. The new name reflects the support, expertise and capabilities customers can expect from the EADS family of companies, which includes Airbus and Airbus Military.

"The opening of the Airbus Military North America facility is a tremendous asset to our city’s workforce and an investment that will certainly lead to bigger and better economic development initiatives in the future," said Mayor Jones. "We are extremely optimistic that Northrop Grumman/EADS will be the successful bidder in the tanker competition. Therefore we are looking forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Airbus Military North America and it suppliers. Mobile is the right place for this company, and we're elated that they believe in us."

“We're pleased to be able to open this new facility here at a time when so many parts of the nation have struggled to hold onto their local industries,” said Commissioner Dean. “This shows what we can achieve for our workforce with companies that are serious about creating American employment.”

The new Airbus Military North America facility is in addition to a planned EADS production site at Mobile’s Brookley Industrial Complex, which would build the airframes for Northrop Grumman KC-45 Tankers if this aircraft is selected to modernize the U.S. Air Force’s aerial refueling fleet. U.S. production of the Northrop Grumman KC-45 would support 48,000 direct and indirect American jobs. An Airbus engineering center was opened in 2007 at the Brookley Industrial Complex to support a broad range of Airbus’ programs, including the A330, A350 XWB and A380.

“The facility we opened today is an exciting step to take with our friends in the Mobile community, which has a tremendously skilled workforce, and government and business leaders committed to continued growth,” said Dave Oliver, Chief Operating Officer of EADS North America. “We’ve enjoyed outstanding support here, and we look forward to our future together with this community.”

FMI: www.eadsnorthamerica.com