Boeing, in partnership with Korean Aerospace Industries and other key suppliers, has delivered the first new wing set for the US Air Force’s A-10 fleet.
The wing set arrived earlier this month to Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah, where the Air Force has started aircraft integration.
Boeing was awarded the contract in August 2019 and is currently working to provide the service with 50 wing sets. Each wing set consists of outer wing assemblies, centre wing assembly, control surfaces and the fuselage integration kit.
The upgraded wings are more durable, efficient, and easier to maintain, extending A-10 flying life to 10,000 hours.
“The A-10 serves a critical role for the Air Force and Boeing is proud to extend our legacy of supporting the Thunderbolt and its mission,” said Dan Gillian, vice president of US government services for Boeing Global Services. “In partnership with the Air Force and our established supply base, we have started full rate production and are actively supporting the customer’s installation schedule.”
The A-10 wing programme was previously a dry line, with tools and equipment housed in long-term storage. Boeing Global Services revived the tooling and activated the supply base within 12 months of contract award.
The company’s previous experience with the A-10 includes delivering 173 enhanced A-10 wing assemblies under a separate contract.
