Cobham 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-46A Tanker Aircraft.

The OBIGGS fulfils a critical aircraft safety system role by displacing fuel tank vapours 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 US 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 centre of excellence in Davenport, Iowa.

"Cobham's proven experience on military programmes provides Boeing with a high performance product with low technical risk to ensure the best overall value," said Kelly Coffield, president of Cobham Life Support. "Cobham is the world-wide leader in military OBIGGS providing solutions since 1985 on more than 3,000 aircraft flying today, ranging from military transport aircraft and helicopters, to regional and commercial platforms such as the B787, with more than five million flight hours total experience. Cobham's qualified staff can tailor the modular range of proven OBIGGS to fit a wide range of applications."

Cobham is a proud supplier to Boeing on several key systems vital to the KC-46A, with two other subcontracts for the hose and drogue aerial refuelling and body fuel tank systems. All equipment will be manufactured by Cobham Mission Equipment at its site in Davenport, Iowa.