Ducommun Announces $14 Million Contract for Blended Winglet Assemblies

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 18, 2002--Ducommun today announced that its Ducommun AeroStructures (DAS) business has been awarded a $14 million long-term contract at anticipated build rates to manufacture Blended Winglet(TM) assemblies for the Boeing 737NG from Aviation Partners Boeing LLC (APB). The work will be performed at DAS's Monrovia, California facility.

The Blended Winglets(TM) provide a significant enhancement in fuel efficiency for all 737NG models and are offered as an option on new production Boeing 737NG aircraft as well as for aftermarket retrofit to existing Boeing 737NG aircraft.

Joseph C. Berenato, chairman, president and chief executive officer, stated, "We are pleased to be entering into a long-term agreement with APB to build a signature proprietary product that has significant potential for long-term growth. Winning this important program highlights the broad range of capabilities that the new Ducommun AeroStructures brings to its customers, and building such high value-added assemblies is a strategic objective of the Company."

Aviation Partners Boeing LLC is a joint venture of Seattle-based Aviation Partners Inc. and The Boeing Company. APB was established to design the Blended Winglets(TM) and win FAA certification for the program using Aviation Partners Inc.'s patented technology.

Ducommun AeroStructures manufactures large complex structural components and assemblies in aluminum, titanium, bonded metal and composites for a wide variety of military and commercial aerospace applications.

Founded in 1849, Ducommun Incorporated manufactures components and assemblies for the defense and aerospace industries.