ST. LOUIS, 5 Sept. 2013. Boeing (NYSE:BA) won a follow-on order from U.S. Air Force officials to deliver 56 replacement wings for the organization’s A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, helping to increase mission readiness and decrease maintenance costs.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II, also known as the Warthog, is a twin-engine, single-seat aircraft that provides close-air support of ground forces and can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles. The aircraft is currently supporting operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Boeing is on contract to build up to 242 wings at its plant in Macon, Ga. Refitting the fleet with new wings will improve the mission availability of A-10s by an estimated 4 percent and will help save the Air Force an estimated $1.3 billion in maintenance costs during the next 30 years, according to a spokesperson.
This latest order is valued at $212 million. Including this agreement, the Air Force has ordered 173 wings. The efforts of Boeing, its suppliers, and the Air Force will allow the A-10 fleet to operate into 2035, adds the spokesperson.
