Official reports have revealed that Boeing highlighted on Thursday what it said would be the economic benefits to Connecticut if chosen as prime contractor for new Air Force refueling tankers.

It also said that the estimated annual impact would be $339 million.

Connecticut companies that would partner with Boeing in building 179 aircraft to replace the service's aging KC-130 planes include Eaton, Bethel: sensors, indicators, meters and switches, Hamilton Sundstrand, Windsor Locks: electrical power generation system, environmental control system, Microtech, Cheshire: waveguides and Pratt & Whitney, East Hartford and West Hartford: engines.

Boeing quoted Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell, "Our state's world-famous aerospace industry drives a significant part of the Connecticut economy. I'm glad that Boeing's tanker project will provide critical fuel to keep that economic engine running."

She further said, "Thousands of families across the state depend on these high-technology aerospace jobs to put food on the table, pay their mortgages, and finance a college education for their children. Now they have a chance to support our troops abroad while growing our economy at home. At a time when many working families are struggling, that's very good news." (With Inputs from Agencies)