Boeing selects Singapore Technologies Aerospace for 767-300BCF Conversions

Singapore Technologies Aerospace's wholly owned subsidiary, ST Aviation Services (SASCO), has been selected by Boeing to perform certain passenger-to-freighter (PTF) conversions under the 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) program. The contract is estimated to be worth $136 million (about Sin$208 million) over 10 years. ST Aerospace is the aerospace arm of Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering).

Under its contract, SASCO will perform aircraft maintenance and the passenger-to-freighter conversions with data provided by Boeing. The 767-300BCF conversion entails the removal of passenger interiors, equipment, and furnishings; installation of a main-deck side cargo door; replacement or strengthening of the main-deck floor structures; installation of a 9-G rigid cargo barrier; and a new cargo handling system, as well as other systems changes.

ST Aerospace will induct the first aircraft from ANA, Boeing's launch customer for this program, at its SASCO facility in Singapore for conversion in October 2007, and the prototype is expected for redelivery in June 2008, upon FAA certification.

"We are honoured that Boeing has selected us once again for participation in its freighter conversion program on the back of our previous successful collaborations," said TAY Kok Khiang, president, ST Aerospace. "One of them is the ongoing MD-11 conversion program, which has been a successful program with most of the passenger aircraft converted to a freighter configuration by 2009. This new contract further attests to the longstanding relationship we share with Boeing, and one that ST Aerospace values. We are also pleased that the launch customer will be ANA, which is also a long-time customer of ST Aerospace. We will continue to leverage on our engineering and modification capabilities to bring greater value to Boeing's customers globally."

ST Aerospace is a part of Boeing's international network of modification facilities, and has been selected as a conversion centre for the 767-300 based on its performance on other conversion programs including the MD-11 PTF, for which ST Aerospace's subsidiary, SASCO, was recognised as the Boeing 2004 Supplier of the Year for its outstanding performance while consistently meeting stringent quality, cost and delivery requirements. Since 1991, ST Aerospace's facilities in Singapore and the U.S. have been actively involved in performing PTF conversions for aircraft including the DC-10, MD-10, MD-11, 727 and 757-200SF.

A 767-300 passenger aircraft undergoes major modifications on its main deck, with the converted 767-300BCF expected to have about the same cargo capability as the same model production freighter with approximately 50 tonnes structural payload at a range of approximately 3,000 nautical miles (5,930km) and 412,000lbs (187,270kg) maximum takeoff weight. There are 24 pallet positions on the main deck. As with the other BCF conversions, Boeing offers a variety of support packages that may be incorporated during 767-300 BCF conversions, including avionics and flight-deck upgrades. Airlines may also consider options such as carbon brakes, live animal and perishable food carriage, weight increases and integration of technical manuals.

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