Bombs Away!

EDO Corporation has been selected by the Boeing Company to design and develop pneumatic ejector bomb-rack units for the U.S. Navy’s new P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft. Boeing is the prime contractor for the P-8A aircraft, a much-modified B737.

EDO has received a "letter" contract authorizing work to begin while the final contract is being negotiated. It is expected that a definitive, fixed-price contract will be executed by December for an amount not to exceed $7.2 million.

The initial contract will include system design and development, qualification testing, documentation, and training. It has options for additional system design and development units.

The bomb-rack contract is in addition to the previously announced $12.7 million contract for the P-8A sonobuoy-launcher system that will be used on anti-submarine missions.

“The pneumatic ejector bomb rack gives EDO another substantial, mission-critical role in the success of the P-8A MMA,” said CEO James M. Smith. “Together with the sonobuoy launcher, these two systems represent an opportunity for more than $200 million over the production anticipated for the U.S. Navy. This success is a direct result of our industry-leading development of pneumatic-release technology.”

The U.S. Navy plans to purchase 108 aircraft. Given the history of maritime patrol mission utilization, foreign sales could increase that amount.

EDO Corporation designs and manufactures a diverse range of products for the defense industry and commercial markets, and provides related engineering and professional services.

Major product groups include: Defense Electronics, Communications, Aircraft Armament Systems, Undersea Warfare, and Integrated Composite Structures. EDO’s advanced systems are at the core of the transformation to lighter, faster, and smarter defense capabilities.

FMI: www.edocorp.com