L-3 Communications MAS will collaborate with Boeing on the production and support service for the aerospace company’s F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter aircraft.
The Mirabel, Que.-based in-service support integrator signed a memorandum of understanding with Boeing just one week after the Federal Government announced its intention to make an interim purchase 18 Super Hornets to address the armed forces “capability gap” for fighter jets. A full-on replacement of the Royal Canadian Air Forces’ aging CF-18 fighter plane will still be launched before the end of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s term.
The MOU comes at a time when L-3 MAS is celebrating its 30th anniversary of providing integrated technical support for the RCAF’s current fleet of CF-18 Hornets. L-3 MAS was awarded on October 31, 1986, an ITS contract for the CF-18 Hornet, a platform that was first produced by McDonnell Douglas before the company merged with Boeing in 1996.
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L-3 MAS also provides technical publications and support test equipment for the Medium-to-Heavy Lift Helicopter program.
“Boeing has a long-term commitment to Canada, and as we prepare for the potential procurement of Super Hornets, we aim to continue to bring meaningful and beneficial work opportunities to companies throughout the country,” said Jim Barnes, Boeing director of global marketing for Canada. “Our work with L-3 MAS is just one example of how we leverage the breadth and depth of Canadian industry to support the country’s air force.”
L-3 MAS is one of more than 560 Boeing suppliers across Canada.
“We’re confident that this MOU will help us to identify key areas of collaboration and further establish the Canada-based supply team who will provide support to the greater Super Hornet Industry Team,” said Jack House, vice president, Boeing Defense, Space & Security Supplier Management.