Heroux Devtek wins Chinook helicopter deal

MONTREAL — Heroux-Devtek Inc. has been awarded a multi-year contract from Boeing to manufacture landing gear for the H-47 Chinook medium- to heavy-lift helicopter for the U.S. army.

Delivery of the landing gear is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2014 and will be spread out over five years. The U.S. army has contracted for 155 aircraft, with an option for 150 more.

No value for the Heroux-Devtek contract was provided, the Quebec-based manufacturer’s third H-47 contract in three years.

The first contract in September 2009 involved fabrication, assembly, testing and delivery of the landing gear for H-47F aircraft delivered to customers outside the United States, including the CH-147 used by the Canadian Forces.

The second agreement, announced last September, was for a licence to fabricate replacement parts and carry out repair and overhaul services for the landing gear of all Chinook variants.

Heroux-Devtek CEO Gilles Labbe said the new contract reinforces Boeing’s confidence in his company.

“This additional contract firmly positions Heroux-Devtek as the leading landing gear supplier on this important and long-standing program,” he stated.

The H-47F Chinook’s primary mission is to move troops, artillery, ammunition and other equipment on the battlefield. It is also used for medical evacuation, disaster relief, search and rescue, aircraft recovery, fire fighting, parachute drops, heavy construction and civil development.

The aircraft type has been used by the U.S. army since 1962 and has been selected by nearly 20 other defence forces around the world.
© 2012 The Canadian Press