Boeing Announces Supplier Agreement with Armor Holdings for Combat Search and Rescue Program

ST. LOUIS, June 28, 2006 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has announced an agreement with Armor Holdings Aerospace and Defense Group of Phoenix, Ariz., to support the proposed HH-47 Combat Search and Rescue helicopter program for the U.S. Air Force.

“Armor Holdings, through its product line of Simula seating systems, has a 30-year legacy of providing rugged and reliable seating systems for U.S. military rotorcraft,” said Rick Lemaster, Boeing HH-47 program manager. “Their addition to our supplier network is consistent with our strategy of providing both a low-risk and best value solution for the U.S. Air Force.”

CSAR-X is a U.S. Air Force initiative to procure more capable and survivable aircraft able to recover isolated personnel from hostile or denied territory. The tandem rotor, heavy lift, high altitude HH-47 is based on the CH/MH-47 Chinook tandem rotor transport helicopter, with performance capabilities that have been widely demonstrated in the ongoing war on terrorism and in numerous U.S. and international humanitarian relief operations.

Armor Holdings will provide cockpit and cabin seating systems to Boeing for the CSAR-X program. The cockpit seats are qualified to the latest U.S. military requirements and include adjustable cushions for pilot comfort and reduced fatigue over long missions. The cabin seats can be stored and support the mission-required configurations of the aircraft. The seating systems are an integral part of the overall survivability of the aircraft, including having energy-absorbing capabilities that provide protection to the occupants under crash conditions.

“We have been a Boeing supplier for both rotary-wing and fixed-wing programs for many years and we are very proud to be able to support Boeing’s proposal for the CSAR-X program,” said Don Dutton, general manager of Armor Holdings Aerospace Systems Division. Armor Holdings manufactures products for the military, law enforcement and personnel safety markets. These products include seating systems for Boeing’s AH-64 Apache helicopter and C-17 Globemaster III military-transport aircraft.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.8 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world’s largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world’s largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense and Department of Homeland Security; NASA’s largest contractor; and a global leader in sustainment solutions and launch services.

Contact Information

Joseph LaMarca, Jr.

Boeing Rotorcraft Communications

The Boeing Company

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