L3Harris has been awarded a five-year extension contract to continue supporting the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)’s CH-147F Chinook helicopters.
The agreement lists equipment in-service support programs, logistics support analysis, and electronic publication management for the medium-to-heavy lift aircraft as some of the services ordered.
The deal underlines the company’s contribution to the force’s aircraft upkeep, which started in 2013.
Work will be carried out at the RCAF operating base in Ontario, as well as various L3Harris facilities in the country.
The company is also collaborating with Boeing to create second line maintenance at the RCAF Garrison in the town of Petawawa.
The RCAF’s helicopter upkeep is part of its 2023 strategy program for a mission-ready and combat-capable force that “will look very different from the RCAF of today” in 2035.
A Transforming Air Force
Recent pushes for RCAF modernization include a $5.9-billion deal to buy Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from the US, as well as a $2.7-billion contract for the acquisition of nine Airbus tanker planes.
Canada’s goal of acquiring a fleet of new multi-mission aircraft was revealed in 2016, but was delayed for a time due to insufficient government funding.
