Macon Boeing Facility Starts its Part of $2B Project

The Boeing Co.’s Macon facility started producing replacement wing sets for the Air Force’s A-10 Thunderbolt II on Monday in connection with a $2 billion contract.

The Boeing Co.’s Macon facility started producing replacement wing sets for the Air Force’s A-10 Thunderbolt II on Monday in connection with a $2 billion contract.

The contract is scheduled to last through 2018, according to a Boeing news release.

Spokesman Forrest Gossett said no new jobs are associated with production of the replacement wing sets.

There are more than 350 A-10 Thunderbolts, also known as Warthogs, in the United States’ fleet participating in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The twin-engine jet is designed for close air support of ground forces, according to the release.

Boeing will deliver the wing sets to Hill Air Force Base in Utah in four parts. Air Force personnel will use three wing sections built by Boeing and an installation kit to finish installing the wings, according to the release.

The company is scheduled to deliver the first wing set in September. At peak production, the Macon plant is expected to build 50 wing sets a year, according to Boeing.