Finmeccanica units Alenia Aermacchi, Alenia Aermacchi North America and Canada, and DRS Canada, as well as General Dynamics [GD] Canada and Canada’s Provincial Aerospace yesterday said they have signed a Letter of Intent to partner on a proposal for a Canadian Fixed Wing Search and Rescue (FWSAR) solution.
The companies said they are finalizing the terms and conditions of the partnership and will work toward a more definitive agreement in the coming months.
The partnership is forming in response to the Department of National Defence (DND) plan to acquire a new FWSAR capability to replace the aging fleet of FWSAR aircraft.
The partners expect to offer Alenia Aermacchi’s C-27J Spartan as the most capable, cost effective, and uncompromising search and rescue aircraft available. Canada’s requirements make the C-27J the perfect fit for their FWSAR needs, the companies said in a statement. The aircraft can operate in harsh environments and across vast terrains and can provide the speed necessary to reach those in need quickly.
Selection of the new capability will be conducted through a competitive process, with a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) expected in the fall of 2012, and contractor selection projected for 2014.
In the United States in January, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the department would divest all 38 C-27J aircraft as part of $487 billion in cuts over 10 years required by the Congressional Budget Control Act (Defense Daily, Jan 27). The U.S. Army had used the C-27J to deliver needed personnel and supplies over “the last tactical mile.”
“The search and rescue teams need an aircraft they can count on no matter the conditions or distance,” said Alan Calegari, CEO of Alenia Aermacchi North America “The C-27J is well suited to some of Canada’s harshest terrain where it will often be called into duty. The characteristics that made the C-27J the right solution for 10 other national air forces will prove critical in Canada’s selection process as well.”
With Alenia Aermacchi’s C-27J, General Dynamics Canada’s experience in performance-based in-service support on aircraft, and Provincial Aerospace’s search and rescue experience and international reputation as a special mission aircraft modification, integration, operations and MRO organization, the team said it offers Canada the very best aircraft for FWSAR with a strong Canadian presence. The long-term engineering and maintenance support of the fleet, and the resulting long-term, well-paying jobs across the country will make this partnership an economic stimulus for Canada’s aerospace sector.
“This team represents the best capabilities in Canadian industry, combined with the most capable aircraft in the competition,” said David Ibbetson, general manager, General Dynamics Canada. “We are excited to be part of such a strong team, supporting Alenia’s C-27J for the FWSAR program. We are committed to providing RCAF air crews and SAR techs with the very best search and rescue capability in the world for decades to come.”
According to Brian Chafe, Provincial Aerospace’s chief operating officer, “Our company has been supporting the Department of National Defence airborne surveillance mandate in Canada’s challenging maritime environment for some 25 years. We know the demands of Canada’s oceans, Arctic areas and rugged terrain first hand. The C-27J is the right aircraft for the job and the FWSAR procurement will result in an economic enabler with no parallel by creating domestic and international opportunities for companies to become part of Alenia’s global supply chain.”
Steve Zuber, vice president and general manager of DRS Canada said, “…we look forward to expanding our significant presence in Canada into a strong relationship with the Royal Canadian Air Force.”