Boeing selects Cobham for on-board inert gas generating system components for the KC-46 tanker

DAVENPORT, Iowa, 3 Aug. 2012. Cobham Plc, a supplier of aerospace and defense systems, has been selected by Boeing to provide On-Board Inert Gas Generating System (OBIGGS) equipment for use on the US Air Force's new KC-46Atanker aircraft. The OBIGGS plays a critical role in aircraft safety by displacing fuel tank vapors with inert nitrogen gas, reducing the risk of explosion. Cobham will provide the air separation modules, ozone filter and sensor sub-system for the OBIGGS. The engineering manufacturing development (EMD) phase started January 2012 with low-rate and full-rate production through 2028.

The U.S. Air Force plans to initially acquire 179 KC-46A tanker aircraft from Boeing, each of which will carry Cobham-supplied OBIGGS equipment. Work will take place at Cobham Life Support’s location in Davenport, Iowa.

The KC-46A is a military aerial refueling and transport aircraft developed by Boeing. The aircraft is based off the 767 jet airliner. Winning the U.S. Air Force's KC-X tanker competition, the KC-46A was chosen to replace the aging fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers in 2011.

Featuring a maximum transfer fuel load of 207,672 lbs. and the ability to hold either 114 people or 58 patients a distance of 7348 miles, the KC-46A is the U.S. Air Force's new tanker aircraft.