The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that North Carolina will benefit from an estimated 100 total jobs and generate an estimated $5 million in annual economic impact if the Boeing NewGen Tanker is selected as the U.S. Air Force's next aerial refueling aircraft.

Boeing submitted its proposal July 9 to replace 179 of the Air Force's 400 Eisenhower-era KC-135 aircraft. The Air Force is expected to award a contract in November.

"North Carolina is a proven source of aerospace innovation, which is why Boeing is so pleased to have the state's workers contributing to our NewGen Tanker," said Mark DeVoss, Supplier Management director, Boeing Tanker Programs. "By building the NewGen Tanker with parts from North Carolina suppliers, the Air Force will get the most capable tanker for their money, and North Carolina workers will get good-paying jobs that can support a family."

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

• Allegheny Technologies, Monroe – titanium

• Curtiss-Wright Flight Systems, Shelby – gearboxes, transmissions, flap tracks, brakes for wing leading and trailing edges

• Kidde Aerospace, Wilson – fire suppression equipment

• Purolator Facet, Greensboro – hydraulic fluid filtration assemblies.

Currently, Boeing has 295 employees in North Carolina and works with nearly 220 suppliers/vendors, delivering a total $201 million in annual economic impact.