Feds invest $49.5M in aerospace consortium
by CanadianManufacturing.com Staff
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is providing funding to a consortium led by a Quebec helicopter manufacturer for projects involving helicopters and autonomous aerial systems
MONTRÉAL—On April 16, the federal government announced an investment of $49.5 million in an aerospace consortium led by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd. (Bell), a
Mirabel, Que.-based helicopter manufacturer.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada says the funding will help Bell and 18 industry and academic partners develop technologies to be integrated into next-generation helicopters, which can fly with or without a crew on board, and fully autonomous aerial systems. Other innovations include technologies to make aircraft more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable as well as technology to reduce noise pollution.
The government agency also says this collaboration is projected to create or maintain more than 300 jobs in Canada and contribute almost $178 million to Canada’s GDP over the next five years.
“This program will foster the development of new engineering and manufacturing knowledge and technologies by the Bell team in Canada. It will instill a new dynamic in the aerospace community and strengthen Canada’s role as an innovation leader in the vertical lift and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) segments,” said Cynthia Garneau, president, Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd.
The 18 industry and academic partners include Pratt & Whitney Canada, CMC Electronics, Esterline Technologies Corp., several small and medium-sized businesses, and nine Canadian universities. Bell and its partners are investing more than $125 million into this project.
Navdeep Bains, minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, says the project will help make Canada a global aerospace leader.
