The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that California will benefit from approximately 4,500 jobs with nearly 100 companies and an estimated $233 million in annual economic impact if the Boeing NewGen Tanker is selected as the U.S. Air Force's next aerial refueling aircraft.

"Californians have played a key role in many of America's most important defense programs, and we'll need their help to build a fleet of NewGen Tankers if we win this critical U.S. Air Force contract," said Mark DeVoss, Supplier Management director, Boeing Tanker Programs.

California manufacturers ready to produce critical components on the NewGen Tanker include:

- Alarin Aircraft Hinge Inc., Commerce -- aircraft hinges

- ITT Industries, Valencia -- adapter shaft assemblies, actuators and valves

- Lamsco West Inc., Santa Clarita -- engineered details, standards and laminated sheet

- Raytheon, El Segundo -- military GPS, Radar Warning Receivers

- Sonic Industries, Torrance -- specialty high-strength fasteners

- Tuffer Manufacturing, Anaheim -- machined parts.

"We are proud to work with our partner of more than 40 years as part of the Boeing NewGen Tanker team that will support our troops with high-quality aerospace products," said Steve Griffith, vice president, Lamsco West Inc. "In addition to strengthening national defense, we know that the work we do here at Lamsco West also supports hundreds of highly skilled, high-paying jobs in Santa Clarita and surrounding communities."

Boeing currently has nearly 25,000 employees in California supporting a variety of programs and works with 5,700 suppliers/vendors across the state, resulting in an estimated $6.2 billion in annual economic impact.