BOEING has chosen Brisbane firm Ferra Engineering to make wing kits to extend the range of GPS-guided bombs carried by US and Australian combat aircraft.
Defence Materiel Minister Mike Kelly says the JDAM-ER (joint direct attack munition extended range) is an Australian initiative to increase the range of existing JDAM bombs through use of bolt-on wings.
JDAM is a kit which converts a conventional aircraft-dropped freefall bomb into a guided weapon, using GPS satellite navigation to home in on its target.
These are widely used in recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The ER kit, which is the one that will be made by Ferra Engineering, comprises fold-out wings that are bolted to the bomb body and triples JDAM range to about 80 kilometres.
"The wing kit will almost triple the weapon's current range, making the JDAM-ER a very cost effective weapon," Mr Kelly said in a statement.
Ferra will be the sole worldwide supplier of the wing kits to Boeing.
Dr Kelly said Boeing's choice demonstrated its confidence in Australian industry.
The first ER wing kits will be used for JDAM-ER flight tests scheduled for later this year.
Initial production orders are expected to be completed by 2015.
This program provides potential for future worldwide sales and exports worth millions.
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman welcomed the announcement as a great Australian success story.
"This Queensland aerospace company began as a two-man operation in 1992 and has grown to become a great Australian success story with more than 130 employees," Mr Newman said.
Trade Minister Tim Nicholls said the deal was made off the back of alliances formed during government-led overseas trade missions.
"As a result of their hard work and dedication, Ferra Engineering has now become an important supplier to a string of high profile aviation giants," he said.
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