Site selection

Cobham and EADS North America have chosen Bridgeport, West Virginia as the site for an aerial refuelling centre of excellence that will provide components for the Northrop Grumman KC-30 Tanker.

The new facility will produce and support EADS’ advanced aerial refuelling boom system and Cobham’s under-wing hose and drogue refuelling system, developed with its US subsidiary, Sargent Fletcher.

The production site will be established if the Northrop Grumman KC-30 Tanker is selected as the US Air Force’s next generation aerial refuelling aircraft.

EADS North America will supply the KC-30 Tanker’s fly-by-wire aerial refuelling boom system from a new production site, while Sargent Fletcher is to build the aircraft’s two digital underwing hose and drogue pods at an adjacent facility at Harrison County’s North Central West Virginia Regional Airport.