CPI Aero wins orders from Northrop Grumman for outer wing panel kits

US-based structure supplier CPI Aerostructures (CPI Aero) has won multiple purchase orders from Northrop Grumman to provide outer wing panel kits for the E-2D Advanced aircraft.

Under the multiple orders, worth $43.1m, CPI Aero will provide kits used in the manufacturing of complete wings for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft.

In February last year, CPI Aero received an $8.1m order for the first year of a multi-year contract, carrying an expected value of up to $47.5m.

With the new orders, the combined value of firm orders under the multi-year contract to CPI Aero has touched almost $51m..

CPI Aero CEO Douglas McCrosson said: “We have enjoyed an exceptional relationship with Northrop Grumman since 2008 as part of Team Hawkeye.

“Having provided the structural kits used to manufacture the wings on every E-2D Advanced Hawkeye in the US Navy’s fleet over that time, we are very pleased to continue for the remainder of the current programme of record.

“Work under these new orders has already commenced with the vast majority of revenue expected to be recognised in 2020 and 2021 with deliveries scheduled through 2023.”

Last month, CPI Aero joined the Next Generation Jammer Low Band (NGJ-LB) Capability Block 1 (CB-1) solution team.

The team, which submitted its proposal for the project in January this year, was led by Northrop Grumman.

The NGJ-LB is to operate on the US Navy’s EA-18G Growler to provide airborne electronic attack (AEA) capabilities. It will replace the current AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System (TJS).