Boeing awards Liebherr-Aerospace new contract for KC-46A tanker program

Boeing Commercial Aircraft has selected Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse SAS, Toulouse (France), to design, develop, supply and service the Nitrogen-Enriched Air Inerting System (NEAIS) regulation valves for the KC-46A tanker program. The KC-46A is a multi-role tanker derivative of Boeing’s successful 767 aircraft. Boeing has been selected by the US Air Force to deliver 179 of the next-generation aerial refueling tankers. The airplane will feature additional systems compared to the Boeing 767, most notably additional fuel tanks and related safety systems. Liebherr’s regulation valves, highly reliable, weight-optimized pneumatic valves, control the air ducted to the system that inerts the fuel tanks as the fuel gradually leaves the tank. Thus fuel fume-igniting conditions are prevented. The components that had been developed for commercial aviation and have a proven in-service track record, were specifically adapted to the demanding requirements of this special mission aircraft. It is the third time that Boeing has selected Liebherr for a critical system. Liebherr previously designed air conditioning system, the engine bleed air system and the anti-ice system for the Boeing 747-8 as well as the Boeing 777-200 LR auxiliary fuel tank pressurization system.