Government of Canada Supports R&D in High-Priority Aerospace and Defence TechnologiesLAVAL, Quebec, September 13, 2005 — The Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, on behalf of the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, today announced a $5.8-million investment for the research and development of two aerospace and defence technologies.
These Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC) investments support projects totalling $23.6 million over three years being undertaken by Héroux-Devtek Inc. of Longueuil, Quebec.
"The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that Canadians benefit from a thriving aerospace and defence industry — from better jobs to a stronger economy to an improved quality of life," said Minister Emerson.
"This is the type of investment that helps Canada excel in developing leading-edge aerospace and defence technologies and allows us to be a leader in this highly competitive industry," added Minister Saada.
The first project will focus on the design, development, fabrication, testing and certification of the landing gear system for the Boeing (Integrated Defence Systems) X-45C Joint-Unmanned Combat Air System (J-UCAS) being developed for the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. The J-UCAS is a special class of advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) capable of autonomous take-off and landing, as well as undertaking combat missions in remote battlefields. This project is expected to generate up to 75 jobs in Longueuil and Laval, Quebec, and in Kitchener, Ontario.
The second project consists of the design and development of first articles and functional prototypes of door-locking mechanisms for the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. The initiative will also include flight demonstrations and qualification testing and airworthiness certification activities and is expected to generate 25 jobs in Longueuil and Laval, Quebec.
"This announcement is excellent news for Héroux-Devtek in particular, and the Canadian aerospace industry in general," said Gilles Labbé, President and CEO of Héroux-Devtek Inc. "These contributions will further support our leadership in Canadian-made technologies that are vital to the aerospace and defence sector. We applaud the federal government for supporting this initiative."
Technology Partnerships Canada is a key instrument for achieving Canada's objectives of increasing economic growth, creating high-quality jobs and wealth, and supporting sustainable development. Working in partnership with innovative companies across Canada, TPC shares in the cost of private sector technology projects in aerospace and defence, in environmental technologies and in enabling technologies, such as biotech, and information and communications technologies.
For more information, please contact:
Christiane Fox
Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson
Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001
Daniel Dezainde
Office of the Honourable Jacques Saada
Minister of the Economic Development Agency
of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister
responsible for La Francophonie
(514) 496-1282
Media Relations
Industry Canada
(613) 943-2502
The news release and other documents are available on the Technology Partnerships Canada Web site at http://www.tpc-ptc.ic.gc.ca
Backgrounder
Announcement of Technology Partnerships Canada
Investment in Héroux-Devtek Inc.
Héroux-Devtek Inc. will receive an investment of $5.8 million from Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC) for two research and development projects involving leading-edge aerospace and defence technologies. These projects, totalling $23.6 million, will generate high-quality jobs and economic opportunities for Canadians.
The first project will consist of the design, development, fabrication, testing and certification of the landing gear system for the Boeing (Integrated Defence Systems) X-45C Joint-Unmanned Combat Air System (J-UCAS). The J-UCAS is a special class of advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) capable of autonomous take-off and landing, as well as undertaking combat missions in remote battlefields. The X-45 landing gear system requirements include the capability to absorb the energy generated by the 36,000 pound air vehicle in a 10 foot-per-second sink speed landing, and fit within the space constraints of a flying wing stealth airframe configuration.
The success of this initiative will not only firmly establish Héroux-Devtek Inc. as a systems house for the design, development, and fabrication of landing gear systems for the small/light aircraft markets, but it will also establish Canada as the centre of excellence for military and civil UAV landing gear systems.
The second project will involve the design, development, and fabrication of first articles and functional prototypes of door-locking mechanisms for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft. The successful implementation of this endeavour will provide the firm with new products and new capabilities in the design and integration of small highly optimized hydro-mechanical devices, for both defence and civil applications, while reducing its heavy reliance on the landing gear repair and overhaul markets.
This initiative is expected to result in six different lock mechanism design configurations, while helping Héroux-Devtek Inc. expand its capabilities and product portfolio to include small mechanisms for military and civil aircraft applications, in addition to its landing gear products. It will also help Canada meet its commitments under the JSF program.
Over the past decade, Héroux-Devtek Inc. has developed an extensive and unique expertise in the production of aircraft landing gear components and in the provision of repair and overhaul services, primarily in the support of the U.S. Air Force and the Canadian Department of National Defence.
Héroux-Devtek Inc. is a Canadian company specializing in the design, development, and manufacture of aerospace and industrial products, more specifically in landing gear, aerostructure, and gas turbine components. The company employs 1100 people and is headquartered in Longueuil, Quebec.
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