Boeing [BA] yesterday said it has selected three Canadian firms to receive the first group of work packages for in-service support of 15 Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters, designated CH-147F for the Canadian Forces.
The suppliers are: L-3 Communications [LLL] MAS (Mirabel, Quebec): technical publications; Raytheon [RTN] Canada Limited (Calgary, Alberta): supply chain support; and L-3 Electronic Systems (Enfield, Nova Scotia): logistics support analysis.
“Boeing is working with companies across Canada to ensure the right infrastructure is in place to support the Canadian Forces’ CH-147F fleet,” said Jim O’Neill, vice president and general manager, Boeing Integrated Logistics. “We will support the operational readiness of these Chinooks while managing overall life-cycle cost and providing long-term opportunities for the Canadian aerospace industry and workforce.”
Later this year, Boeing expects to announce the results of ongoing competitions with Canadian firms for additional in-service support work packages, including support and test equipment; contractor maintenance support for the maintenance training suite; and engineering support services.
Through Canada’s Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) Policy, Boeing’s IRB commitments on the medium-to-heavy lift Helicopter In-Service Support Program will bring benefits of approximately $2 billion to Canada over a 20-year period.
In August 2009, the government of Canada announced it would acquire 15 CH-47F Chinooks to address the Canadian Forces Medium-to-Heavy Lift Helicopter requirement. Production of the fleet is under way and delivery of CH-147Fs to the main operating base at Petawawa, Ontario, will begin in 2013.
The Canadian CH-147F Chinook is an advanced multi-mission helicopter that features a modernized airframe with a long-range fuel system, fully integrated digital cockpit management system, Common Avionics Architecture System cockpit, self-protection system, improved electrical systems and advanced cargo-handling capabilities.
Life-cycle support of these aircraft will be delivered through a long-term Performance Based Logistics (PBL) program that will provide full system logistics and training services. Boeing is a proven provider of performance-incentivized, integrated logistics solutions. The company has more than 15 PBL contracts with customers around the world and across multiple platforms, including the Chinook.
Boeing has been a major contributor to the Canadian economy since 1919, generating approximately $1 billion in business annually. Canada also is home to one of Boeing’s largest international supplier bases, with more than 200 major suppliers in every region of the country.