A BRIDPORT company has secured a multi-million pound contract with air giant Boeing to make barrier nets for a new generation of aircraft.

Award-winning firm AmSafe Industries said the US contract with Boeing was valued at around $45million (£28.8m). It gives job security to employees at the site.

The nets will be for the new KC-46A aerial refuelling tanker aircraft, selected by the United States Air Force to replace an older model.

AmSafe will supply a barrier net and stationary and movable smoke barriers specifically designed for the aircraft.

Deliveries are expected to commence in 2015 in support of the USAF requirement for 179 Boeing aircraft.

“We are proud to be part of Boeing’s team supporting the United States Air Force’s new tanker aircraft program,” said vice president of defence for AmSafe Neal McKeever.

He added: “Our unique capabilities in the design and manufacture of barrier restraints provide Boeing and the air force a low risk, high value solution for the KC-46A programme.”

Bridport has a long history of rope and net making and AmSafe is regarded as a leading provider of barrier nets for airlines.

The nets are designed to restrain a shifting cargo load from penetrating the crew section of the main deck.

AmSafe recently won a £2.6m grant from the Ministry of Defence for its rocket-propelled grenade protection system – Tarian Quickshield – several thousand of which are heading to the frontline in Afghanistan for use in operational deployment.