Exelis has received processor qualification designation from The Boeing Company for its composite design and manufacturing center in Salt Lake City.

The qualification, achieved after a comprehensive technical review against six demanding Boeing specifications (BAC5578 and BAC5317-1 through -5) designates Exelis as an approved advanced composite structures supplier to the Boeing supply chain.

To achieve the qualification, Exelis demonstrated its process controls and manufacturing capability for advanced composite parts at varied temperatures during autoclave cures. The effort also included qualifying several pieces of equipment critical in the manufacturing process, including material pattern cutters, optical laser templates and autoclaves. Exelis completed the qualification process in less than one year.

“Achieving this rigorous Boeing qualification underlines our commitment to providing the highest quality composite structures at the greatest value to our customers,” said Mike Blair, vice president and general manager of Exelis Aerostructures. “This designation is an important milestone as we continue to expand our commercial aerostructures business.”

Exelis has identified aerostructures as one of four strategic growth platforms for the company. With this designation, Exelis will be listed on Boeing's D6-53993 document as an approved processor for manufacturing composite structures.