LI Co.'s Tech Helps Planes Fly Twice as Far

LongIsland.com

CPI Aero is supplying equipment Hawkeyes use to refuel in mid-air and travel further.

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The Hawkeye uses CPI Aero parts to refuel.

Photo by: Northrop Grumman

The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye or E-2D aircraft can fly twice as far – thanks to equipment made by a Long Island company.

Edgewood-based CPI Aerostructures said it obtained $1.23 million in orders from Northrop Grumman for equipment used in aerial refueling.

The company said its welding metallurgy subsidiary obtained the orders related to new requirements for aerial refueling probes used by the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (E-2D) aircraft.

A probe assembly is a long, welded tube that enables a U.S. Air Force or Navy tanker aircraft to provide fuel to the E-2D while in flight. 

CPI Aero manufactured probe assemblies for tests  and the refuellable E-2D first flew in December 2016 with a probe made by the company.

CPI Aero CEO Douglas McCrosson said this refueling lets the aircraft “effectively double the time it can stay in the air conducting surveillance and performing its battle management command and control mission.”

CPI Aero is a manufacturer of structural assemblies for fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems used by commercial aerospace vehicles and the military.