The US Air Force (USAF) has selected Chromalloy to deliver repairs on low-pressure turbine modules for its F108 aircraft engine fleet that powers the KC-135 tanker and RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft.
Valued under $74m, the one-year agreement was contracted by the Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma and includes four one-year options for additional repairs.
Under this project, the company will carry out repairs on the low-pressure turbine shaft assembly, Module 14, during scheduled maintenance events of the F108 engines.
Chromalloy president Carlo Luzzatto said: "With this agreement Chromalloy is pleased to build on our longstanding relationship with the US Air Force.
"Through our expertise in repairing gas turbine engine modules and components, Chromalloy offers military fleets significant cost savings over buying new parts.
Work under this contract will be performed at facilities within Chromalloy’s service network.
Luzzatto said: "Our FAA approved repairs have logged more than 1.2 million flight hours on this engine platform and are a proven source of reliability and durability."
The F108 CFM56-2B is the military variant of the CFM56-2 commercial propulsion system. The engine reduces fuel consumption, noise and emissions under stringent FAR 33-6 ingestion rules.
Developed from Boeing 367-80 prototype, the KC-135 is a jet-powered refuelling tanker primarily designed to refuel long-range strategic bombers.
The USAF currently has 550 KC-135 Stratotankers in service and has made substantial investment in a series of upgrade programmes.
The RC-135 is a four engine, medium weight reconnaissance aircraft designed and manufactured by Boeing Defence and Integrated Systems.
The USAF awarded a $248m order to Boeing between 1997 and 2002 to build and install re-engine kits for 11 KC-135 and 11 RC-135 aircraft.
Image: A KC-135R Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron refuels F-15C Eagles. Photo: courtesy of US Air Force / Tech Sgt Angelique Perez.
