AmSafe to provide barrier nets for the new Boeing KC-46A refueling tanker aircraft

AmSafe® Industries, Inc., the leading provider of engineered restraint systems to the aviation, defense and specialty vehicle markets, today announced the award from Boeing of a contract valued at approximately $45 million. Under this new contract, AmSafe will supply barrier nets for the new KC-46A aerial refueling tanker aircraft, recently selected by the United States Air Force to replace the older KC-135 Stratotanker.

AmSafe will supply a 9G barrier net and stationary and movable smoke barriers specifically designed for the KC-46A tanker aircraft. The deliveries are expected to commence in 2015 in support of the USAF requirement for 179 Boeing aircraft. The potential value of the contract, including support, is expected to be worth in excess of $45M over the program life.

"We are proud to be part of Boeing's team supporting the United States Air Force's new tanker aircraft program," said Neal McKeever, vice president of defense for AmSafe. "Our unique capabilities in the design and manufacture of barrier restraints provide Boeing and the Air Force a low risk, high value solution for the KC-46A program."

AmSafe designs and manufacturers barrier nets for aircraft OEMs worldwide and is currently a leading provider of barrier nets for commercial airlines. The structure of the net is specific to an airframe and the barrier net is designed to restrain a shifting cargo load from penetrating the crew section of the main deck. The AmSafe barrier net can accommodate an aircraft's maximum cargo payload under forward movement conditions of 9G's. The AmSafe smoke barrier performs as a blockade between the cargo and crew, preventing smoke or flames from entering into the passenger cabin and flight deck areas of the aircraft. The stationary version of the smoke barrier fits across the fuselage section; the movable version can be fitted in a number of different positions within the cabin to accommodate different mixes of cargo and crew/passengers.