N.L. firm joins Airbus on Canadian Forces search and rescue fleet bid
by Canadian Manufacturing Staff
Provincial Aerospace Ltd. joins team pitching C295 to replace CC-115 Buffalo, CC-130 Hercules
OTTAWA—The Airbus Group is getting together with a Atlantic Canadian aerospace firm in a bid to replace Canada’s aging fixed-wing search and rescue (FWSAR) fleet.
According to the European giant, its defence division signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Provincial Aerospace Ltd. to join Airbus on its bid to build a fleet of C295 airlifters for use by Canadian Forces personnel.
The proposed fleet of C295 aircraft would replace the existing fleet of CC-115 Buffalo and CC-130 Hercules aircraft, built by de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. and Lockheed Corp., respectively, being used for search and rescue operations.
Airbus said Provincial Aerospace would provide in-service support should the C295 be chosen by Public Works and Government Services Canada.
“Provincial Aerospace’s proven in-service support capabilities and world-class expertise as an integrator of advanced technology systems make it a very strong addition to our C295 team,” Antonio R. Barberán, head of commercial for military aircraft with Airbus said in a statement.
Provincial Aerospace joins a C295 team that already boasts a handful of Canadian contributors, including Pratt & Whitney Canada, CAE Inc., L-3 Wescam and Vector Aerospace.
