Hamble Aerostructures division of Smiths Aerospace has purchased all the stretched acrylic required for use in the production of spare canopies for the Boeing T-45 Goshawk trainer and the Panavia Tornado for the UK MOD.
While the Tornado, a multi-role attack fighter, has been out of production since 1992, 992 aircraft have been produced and are in service in the UK, German, Italian and Saudi Arabian Air Forces.The T-45 is a light trainer flown by the US Navy.There are currently 142 in service and the fleet will total 205 when production ends in 2007.
Hamble qualified Pilkington stretched acrylic sheet in order to ensure consistently high quality in performance characteristics and specification.