New partnership gives boost to UK aerospace supply chain

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A fast-growing aerospace engineering company has secured a long-term supply agreement with Cobham Mission Systems to supply its specialist in-flight refuelling hoses across a range of aircraft platforms.

Icon Aerospace Technology has built a dedicated facility at its Retford site for the manufacture of its state-of-the-art Flexiflow in-flight refuelling hose, which it will provide to Cobham as part of the multi-year agreement.

The facility provides a long term robust supply chain to support Cobham Air-to-Air Refuelling systems with the Icon hose products already installed on aircraft including the Airbus A330 MRTT and the Boeing KC-46.

Ken Kota, senior vice president & general manager of Cobham Mission Systems, commented: “With a legacy of 80 years’ experience, we are recognised as one of the most technically advanced aerial refuelling suppliers in the world and need to work with a supply chain that shares this innovation.

“We have worked with Icon on a number of projects before and have seen first-hand the high-quality products they manufacture. With a dedicated production facility for Flexiflow, we can be assured that Icon can meet our supply demand now and well into the future. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to supporting the UK aerospace supply chain.”

Tim Pryce, chief executive of Icon Aerospace Technology, added: “Our partnership with Cobham plc represents another long-term agreement, and provides the vehicle for the type of collaboration that brings innovative and world beating solutions to life.

“Although we have been supplying products to Cobham for many years, this latest agreement will enable both companies to work together, bringing our product expertise into line with the complete system requirements.”