The kind of high-tech
bombs used to kill Abu Musab al-Zarqawi can't just
sit around gathering dust – or, for that
matter, moisture or static electricity.
Instead they are sealed in a special wrapper made
by a Carrollton firm that produces packaging kits
for Boeing's GPS-guided Joint Direct Attack Munition,
which was one of two bombs that Air Force jets
lobbed on the al-Qaeda leader in the June 7 airstrike.
The company, Protective Packaging Corp., says
orders have been brisk since the government stepped
up JDAM orders after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The firm got another boost last week when the
company was certified
by Boeing Co. as a preferred supplier, which an executive at the contractor
called a big step in its relationship with the
aerospace giant.
"We get the opportunity to avoid supplier
qualification procedures, and we're automatically
approved," said Jim Hiller, senior vice president.
Protective Packaging's flexible
moisture barrier system is used at Boeing's JDAM plant near St.
Louis, where the munitions are sealed in a 78-inch-long
pouch that protects internal instruments from moisture,
corrosion and static electricity.
"The whole kit is essentially vacuum-packed," said
Boeing's Alan Zibits, the JDAM supplier program
manager.
The JDAM contract is Protective Packaging's biggest.
Mr. Hiller said the firm's 19 employees generate
revenue of about $7 million per year from 600 clients.
Jeff Kearns
The Dallas Morning
News, June 18, 2006
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Example of JDAM Weapons
System protected by PPC barrier materials
Diagram of Joint
Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). The tail section
containing the weapon's "smart systems" is protected
from moisture, vapor and static using Protective
Packaging Corporation's barrier materials
Example of JDAM Weapons
System sealed in barrier bag packaging ready for
delivery. |
