AGSE® Shines Bright in Boeing’s KC-46 U.S. Supplier Spotlight

In its latest KC-46 U.S. Supplier Spotlight, The Boeing Company highlights AGSE's dynamic team and innovative lean manufacturing capabilities that help deliver critical components to support its world-renowned military aerial refueler. Boeing recently visited AGSE headquarters to hear the inspiring stories from our dedicated workforce and see firsthand how our trusted engine GSE & Tooling solutions contribute to its acclaimed Pegasus aircraft.

"We're just grateful that we can be even a small part of a program that helps our military protect and defend our country," said Diane Morey-Henderson, President & CEO of AGSE. "That makes us more proud than anything."

AGSE's production group, encompassing many decades of experience, disciplines, and backgrounds, including some second-generation members, skillfully build the OEM-approved shipping stand to safely handle Pratt & Whitney's PW4062 engine that powers the KC-46. The American-made stand simplifies on-wing engine removal and installation with a bootstrap-capable cradle (AM-2371) that pins to a rugged pneumatic tire base (AGSE-E222), allowing it to tow the engine long distances around a hangar or military base. Its shock-mounted frame reduces vibration during engine transport, a hydraulic system enables both axles to deploy or stow ergonomically, and Skydrol-resistant paint provides lasting protection against corrosion. The versatile base can also interface with a custom-designed cradle (AM-1928) that supports GE Aviation's F138 engine, which powers Lockheed Martin's C-5M Super Galaxy military transport aircraft.

Developed from Boeing's KC-767, the KC-46 entered service with the United States Air Force in 2019 and Japan's Air Self-Defense Force in late 2021. In addition to transporting over 212,000 pounds (96,162 kg) of fuel, it can accommodate up to 58 passengers or 18 cargo pallets. From the Aerial Refueling Operator Station (AROS), operators can connect the refueling boom, supplemented by pods at each wingtip and a centerline drogue system under the rear fuselage, to other aircraft. The Pegasus' cutting-edge Remote Vision System (RVS) can execute refueling missions in total darkness (with both aircraft blacked out). Boeing has now delivered 63 KC-46s to armed forces worldwide and recently received a new contract from the U.S. Air Force to manufacture 15 more of its pioneering aircraft.

AGSE congratulates Boeing on its recent success and applauds its commitment to safeguarding our great nation's skies. To learn more about the tireless contributions of the men and women at AGSE who help keep the KC-46 in the air, please see the U.S. Supplier Spotlight by clicking here.

AGSE® Returns to Dubai for MRO Middle East 2023!

AGSE, now celebrating its 50th year of designing and manufacturing trusted aerospace GSE & Tooling solutions, showcased its products at MRO Middle East 2023. This two-day event occurred in Sheikh Saeed Halls 1 & 2 of the Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from March 1-2. Members of our Global Sales Team were on-site to guide visitors through our comprehensive range of OEM-approved equipment, from Engine Transport Stands to Horizontal MRO Systems to Line Maintenance Tooling, all for safely handling the top jet engines in commercial and military aviation.

Organized by Aviation Week, MRO Middle East provided a world-class venue for professionals at airlines, OEMs, leasing companies, and MRO service providers. Now with 150 exhibitions and over 30 speakers, it is ideal for senior-level attendees to grow their networks, explore new technologies, and learn from the most reputed experts in the region's commercial aviation aftermarket.

AGSE was grateful to participate in this latest edition of MRO Middle East and will continue to catch up with our valued customers and peers. To discover additional upcoming events where you can meet with members of our Global Sales Team, please click here!

A Golden Milestone: AGSE® Turns 50

With the arrival of 2023, AGSE is excited to celebrate its 50th year as a pioneer in the original design and manufacture of trusted engine GSE & Tooling. Since its founding as a modest tooling designer for the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar airliner, AGSE has blossomed into an industry leader, delivering many OEM-licensed handling solutions to more than 1,300 global customers, including airlines, aircraft hangars, engine shops, lessors, and military bases.

"We've come a long way in building our comprehensive offering of GSE & Tooling for the top engine programs and aircraft in commercial and military aviation," said Diane Morey-Henderson, President & CEO of AGSE. "May the next 50 years be even better as we continue providing quality support for the industry's most critical MRO activities."

After being acquired by its parent company, Westmont Industries, in 1985, AGSE went on to redefine engine handling by developing split-engine transport systems for jet engines powering the latest wide-body aircraft. The operation eventually moved into its current ISO-certified, 135,000-square-foot plant in Southern California, which employs state-of-the-art lean manufacturing technologies to assemble its reliable products safely and expeditiously. In late 2014, AGSE signed a long-term agreement with CFM International and launched its AGSE Tooling division in Ohio, responsible for supplying line maintenance and shop tooling for the engine builder’s energy-efficient, narrowbody LEAP turbofan.

AGSE now owns a portfolio of over 300 proprietary engine shipping stand designs rigorously customized to ensure the safe handling of a wide array of jet engines. The company recently surpassed the manufacture and delivery of 15,000 of these rugged and ergonomic stands. In addition, AGSE Tooling has delivered more than 14,000 CFM and LEAP engine tools supporting MRO activities ranging from quick engine changes to complex engine overhauls.

Please click here to discover more about AGSE's 50-year unrivaled quality, innovation, and service history.

AGSE™ and Pratt & Whitney Finalize V2500 Licensing Agreement

AGSE successfully relaunched its V2500 licensing contract with Pratt & Whitney by inking a new agreement to support the engine manufacturer's revered high-bypass turbofan used to power narrowbody commercial aircraft. The signing, held at Pratt & Whitney's headquarters, was made official by Mark Freeman, Senior Director of Aftermarket Supply Chain for Pratt & Whitney, and Mike Coulson, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for AGSE.

"We are ecstatic to receive Pratt & Whitney's green light to once again manufacture AGSE-designed GSE & Tooling for one of the most popular engines in commercial aviation," said Coulson.

“Moving an engine from Point A to Point B is a delicate task where safety always comes first, whether for the team member moving the engine, the stand doing the heavy lifting, or the engine itself. Pratt & Whitney is excited to provide additional engine stand options to ensure the continued safe operation of the V2500 fleet through our licensing agreement with AGSE,” said Freeman.

Since the early stages of the V2500, AGSE has manufactured and delivered trusted GSE & Tooling for the safe handling and transport of this engine, from shipping stands to lift slings to pedestal sets, all adopted by airlines, aircraft hangars, and engine shops. These rugged, lasting, and superior functional solutions can accommodate an extensive range of line and shop maintenance applications, whether needed for quick engine change procedures or the highest levels of engine disassembly.

To learn about AGSE and its OEM-approved GSE & Tooling for Pratt & Whitney engines and more, please visit agsecorp.com.

London Calling! AGSE™ Exhibits at MRO Europe 2022

AGSE, a global leader in the original design and manufacture of trusted aerospace GSE & Tooling solutions, showcased its products and services at MRO Europe 2022, held at the ExCeL London on October 19th & 20th. Members of our European Sales and Executive Teams were on-site to guide visitors through our wide selection of rugged, OEM-approved GSE & Tooling for safely handling the top jet engines and aircraft in commercial aviation.

Aviation Week's MRO Europe is the largest aviation MRO event in the region. Professionals from airlines, OEMs, leasing companies, and MRO suppliers connected with over 400 solution and service providers to discover the latest offerings and industry advancements. Visitors also attended a 3-day senior-level conference, co-located at the exhibition center, to hear the latest impactful trends, topics, and challenges in the aero-engine market presented by over 30 expert speakers.

AGSE was glad to catch up with our valued customers and colleagues from Europe and beyond at this latest Aviation Week expo. Please click here to learn more about other sensational events where you can meet with our Global Sales Team members!

AGSE™ Catches Up with Customers & Peers at MRO Asia-Pacific 2022

AGSE, a global leader in the original design and manufacture of trusted aerospace GSE & Tooling solutions, showcased its products and services at MRO Asia-Pacific 2022, held at the Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre on September 21st & 22nd, 2022. Our Global Sales Team members were on-site to guide visitors through our wide selection of rugged, OEM-approved line maintenance and shop engine tooling & GSE for safely handling the top programs in commercial aviation.

Aviation Week's MRO Asia-Pacific is the largest aviation MRO event in the region. Professionals from airlines, OEMs, leasing companies, and MRO suppliers connected with over 170 solution and service providers to discover the latest offerings and industry advancements. Visitors also had the opportunity to stop by Aero-Engines Asia-Pacific, co-located at the exhibition center, to discuss impactful trends, topics, and challenges in the aero-engine market with principal stakeholders and expert panelists.

Please click here to learn more about upcoming events where you can meet with our Global Sales Team members!

1k All the Way: AGSE™ Raises its Glass to Pratt & Whitney for a Triumphant 2022

AGSE, a global leader in the original design and manufacture of OEM-approved, rugged, and superior functional line maintenance and shop engine GSE & Tooling, congratulates Pratt & Whitney on eclipsing 1,000 orders and commitments for its high-bypass PurePower® Geared Turbofan™ (or GTF) engine program since the start of 2022. Powering some of the most favored narrowbody airliners in commercial aviation, such as the Airbus A320neo, Airbus A220, and Embraer E-Jets E2 family aircraft, the GTF has seen its popularity spike due to its pioneering sustainability advantages and attractive cost efficiency. GTF-powered planes significantly cut carbon dioxide emissions by up 20%, nitrogen oxides by up to 50%, and noise by up to 75%. The engine's carbon footprint can shrink further as it is currently certified for operation on 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a low-emission biofuel commonly produced with feedstock.

Since the engine's first run in 2007, AGSE has remained Pratt & Whitney's trusted manufacturer of ergonomic, user-friendly, and highly durable shipping stands to handle and transport its entire GTF family safely and efficiently. All AGSE GTF shipping stands include a shock-mounted transportation base to reduce vibration during engine transport, bootstrap adapters to simplify on-wing engine removal and installation, and Skydrol-resistant paint for lasting protection against corrosion. Over 1,000 of our GTF shipping stands now support global airlines, lessors, and engine shops with their most critical MRO operations.

AGSE is pleased to maintain its valued partnership with Pratt & Whitney for the next thousand GTF orders and beyond as the engine maker continues to set the stage for even more sustainable aviation technologies. Click here to read the story.

AGSE™ and Pratt & Whitney Renew Licensing Agreement

AGSE reinforced its decades-long relationship with Pratt & Whitney by inking a new five-year licensing agreement to support the engine manufacturer’s acclaimed PW4000 program as well as its JT8D, JT9D, PW2000, and PW6000 turbofan families, all used to power some of the most prominent commercial and military aircraft. The signing, held at Pratt & Whitney’s MRO Americas booth in Dallas on April 27th, was made official by Diane Morey-Henderson, President & CEO of AGSE, and Mark Freeman, Senior Director of Aftermarket Supply Chain for Pratt & Whitney.

“AGSE is proud of its longstanding relationship with Pratt & Whitney. This agreement allows us to continue designing and manufacturing quality ground support equipment for these highly durable and dependable engines,” said Morey-Henderson.

“We are excited to be able to continue to support our worldwide network of customers’ engine stand operational needs through our licensing agreement with AGSE,” said Freeman.

Since the first runs of these Pratt & Whitney engines, AGSE has delivered a plethora of reliable solutions for their secure handling, from shipping stands to lifting fixtures to bootstrap systems, all adopted by airlines, aircraft hangars, engine shops, and military bases. Like the PW4000 and its counterparts, these rugged, lasting, and superior functional solutions can accommodate an extensive range of applications, whether they are needed in support of quick engine change procedures or for the highest maintenance levels of engine disassembly.

To learn about AGSE and its OEM-approved GSE & Tooling for Pratt & Whitney engines and more, please visit www.agsecorp.com.

About the Companies

Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies, is a world leader in the design, manufacture, and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. Headquartered in East Hartford, Connecticut, USA, Pratt & Whitney supports more than 11,000 customers in 180 countries around the world.

AGSE is a global leader in the original design and manufacture of innovative aerospace ground support equipment and engine tooling for nearly 50 years. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, USA, AGSE delivers the most robust offering of OEM-approved GSE & Tooling in the aviation industry.

AGSE™ Tips its Hat to MRO Americas 2022!

AGSE, a global leader in the original design and manufacture of innovative aerospace GSE & Tooling solutions, showcased its products and services from Booth #4847 at MRO Americas 2022. The three-day event was held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, from April 26 to 28, 2022. Members of our Americas Sales and Executive Teams were on site to guide visitors through our wide selection of superior functional, OEM-approved equipment, from Engine Transport Stands to Gantry Systems to Line Maintenance Tooling, all for the industry’s top jet engine programs.

Organized by Aviation Week, MRO Americas is the largest aviation MRO event in the world. Professionals from airlines, OEMs, leasing companies, and MRO suppliers connected with over 600 solution providers, discussed key trends and topics in commercial aviation with expert panelists, and discovered the latest aircraft maintenance improvements for the United States Armed Forces in the bustling Military Pavilion.

AGSE was delighted to exhibit once again at MRO Americas in the Lone Star State and see our valued customers and colleagues from around the world. To discover more events where you can meet with members of our Global Sales Team, please click here!