Strata, Reliance form partnership to advance aerospace composites – CompositesWorld

Abu Dhabi-basedStrata Manufacturing PJSC (Strata) and Reliance Defence Limited (RDL, Mumabi, India) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on aerospace composites manufacturing capabilities between India and the United Arab Emirates. The partnership will look at opportunities in the production of carbon fiber aerostructures, prepegs as well as 3D printing of aerospace components and airframe panels.

The Dhirubhai Ambani Aerospace Park, located at the Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN), is being considered by Reliance Defence Limited (RDL) for a new facility to support its aerospace ambitions, and forms part of the emerging aerospace industry in India.

As an established player in the advanced manufacturing of aerostructures, we are keen to grow our capabilities globally with Reliance and expand our operational footprint by capitalizing on innovative, cost-effective solutions that can benefit our customers whilst enhancing our financial performance. The collaboration between the UAE and India has been instrumental in promoting knowledge transfer and strengthening ties between businesses to jointly invest in developingworld-class products, says Badr Al Olama, CEO of Strata.

He says by working with Reliance, the company sees a significant opportunity that can lead to the creation of a new tier-one global supplier: designing, developing and manufacturing major aircraft components - such as wings and empennages - for the next generation of aircrafts.

The project has the potential to bring in significant foreign direct investment and cutting-edge technology in this niche composite aircraft manufacturing segment, says RajeshDhingra, president of Reliance Defence & Aerospace. 3D printing enables us to produce assembly and machining fixtures in one-quarter the time and at one-half the cost as conventional machining.

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Strata, Reliance form partnership to advance aerospace composites - CompositesWorld

LMI Aerospace being acquired by Belgium’s Sonaca Group – STLtoday.com

LMI Aerospace, a St. Charles-based aerospace components manufacturer, has entered into a merger agreement to be acquired by Sonaca Group of Belgium.

Under the agreement, LMI shareholders will receive $14 per share in an all-cash transaction, the company said. The offer represents a 52 percent premium over LMI's closing share price Thursday of $9.19 per share.

After the deal closes, LMI will operate as LMI Aerospace - a member of Sonaca Group, with headquarters remaining in St. Charles, the company said in a statement. Daniel Korte will continue to serve as LMI Aerospace's CEO.

This deal brings our combined company to the forefront as a leader in the design and manufacture of complex aerostructures while working to diversify our global customer base, Korte said in a statement. In addition, LMI and Sonaca have complementary product portfolios while largely serving different aerospace primes and Tier 1 suppliers around the world, enabling us to better serve our customers.

Lazard served as financial advisors to LMI and Credit Suisse served as financial advisors to Sonaca.

The addition of LMI Aerospace to the Sonaca Group supports our vision to expand our capabilities in the United States, Bernard Delvaux, Sonaca's CEO said in the statement. Sonaca and LMI have both distinguished themselves in the industry through capabilities such as wing movables, wing panels, complex fuselage and structural assemblies, and together we will be able to strengthen our competitive advantage in the global aerospace market.

LMI also announced expectations for full-year 2016 results. The company said it expects its fiscal year net sales to range between $345.7 million and $346.7 million. The company said financial results for 2016 were negatively impacted by lower sales primarily due to customer delays, higher-than-expected medical costs and unanticipated engineering changes on a design-build contract.

Reuters contributed to this story.

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LMI Aerospace being acquired by Belgium's Sonaca Group - STLtoday.com

Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) Hits New 52-Week High – Zacks.com

by Sanghamitra Saha Published on February 17, 2017

XAR

For investors seeking momentum, SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR - Free Report) is probably on radar now. The fund just hit a 52-week high and is up about 46.3% from its 52-week low price of $46.37/share.

But are more gains in store for this ETF? Lets take a quick look at the fund and the near-term outlook on it to get a better idea on where it might be headed:

XAR in Focus

This ETF tracks the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index, giving investors exposure to the U.S. aerospace & defense industry. The fund holds 38 stocks in its basket. It charges 35 bps in fees and expenses. The product has Arconic Inc., Huntington Ingalls Industries, TASER International Inc., BWX Technologies Inc. and Boeing Company as the top holdings (see: all the Industrials ETFs here).

Why the Move?

This Aerospace & Defense ETF has been gathering momentum recently on decent earnings. President Trumps promises of increased military spending are possibly giving a boost to the sector. Plus, Trump is likely to visit Boeings North Carolina facility for the rollout of the first 787-10 Dreamliner on Friday. This possibility of a better relation between Boeing and Trump (who previously accused Boeing for charging high costs for Air Force One) is benefiting the fund.

More Gains Ahead?

It seems that XAR might continue with its strength given a Zacks ETF Rank of 1 or Strong Buy rating with a Medium risk outlook. Moreover, the fund has a positive weighted alpha of 39.90. A positive weighted alpha hint at more gains. As a result, there is definitely still some promise for investors who want to ride on this surging ETF.

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Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) Hits New 52-Week High - Zacks.com

Aerospace can make America great again – Sonoran News

SpaceX just launched ten Iridium Communications satellites into low-Earth orbit. These satellites will beam phone and data service to tens of thousands of Americans who live or work in areas too remote for regular coverage.

Until recently, blasting bus-sized satellites into space using rockets that can be reused belonged in the realm of science fiction. Now, such activities seem routine.

Policymakers should take note. Americans are set to reap the benefits of aerospace firms race to tame the Final Frontier and the industrys investments in manufacturing will create new jobs and wealth in the United States, not just shuffle around current jobs by moving around government dollars.

Since its inception, the aerospace industry has produced technologies that improve Americans quality of life. NASA helped invent memory foam, scratch-resistant glasses, insulin pumps and hundreds of other products we use every day.

Now, private companies are driving aerospace innovation. Thanks to satellite Internet firms, airplane passengers can enjoy Wi-Fi while cruising at 30,000 feet. That has made flying more enjoyable and far more productive. The technology also makes it possible for Americans in remote areas to access high-speed Internet.

Satellite internet has yet to reach its full potential. The satellite internet of things market is expected to grow nearly 20 percent each year through 2022. Improved connectivity made possible by new satellites will improve the efficiency of a wide range of appliances, not just computers and smartphones.

Launching new satellites to support this increased connectivity would have been far too expensive a few years ago. But today, thanks to California-based SpaceX and Washington-based Blue Origins advances in rocket manufacturing, the cost of launches has plummeted. The Air Force is showing interest in ultra-low cost access to space, where reusable launch technologies stimulate tactical innovation in space operations.

Next-generation rockets have even made space-based businesses look viable.

Made in Space, a California startup, recently sent a 3D printer to the International Space Station, laying the groundwork for manufacturing in zero gravity. The firm plans to produce optical fiber in space, which would eliminate the microscopic imperfections caused by gravity. This high quality fiber could revolutionize everything from medical devices to telecommunications.

Aerospace firms arent just spurring technological progress; theyre supporting millions of jobs. Americas aerospace sector employs over 1.2 million people and indirectly supports an additional 3.2 million jobs.

These jobs are helping to replace losses weve seen in the broader manufacturing sector. While the number of overall American manufacturing jobs dropped 22 percent from 2002 to 2012, jobs in the aerospace industry grew 7 percent. Aerospace exports also generated a trade surplus of over $80 billion in 2015 the highest in the manufacturing sector.

Aerospace companies are even leading the charge to revitalize the manufacturing workforce.

Firms are designing their own educational programs, often at community colleges, to train workers. Northrop Grumman, for instance, has partnered with Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, California to create a sixteen-week vocational program in aircraft manufacturing. The firm recruits many of the students upon graduation. Such public-private partnerships could serve as a model for manufacturers in other sectors.

Private aerospace companies are strengthening the labor force and pouring billions of dollars into new technologies that will improve Americans lives. Thats a reason to cheer every liftoff.

Rebecca Grant, Ph.D., is president of IRIS Independent Research, a public-policy research organization, and director of the Washington Security Forum. She is the former director of the General Billy Mitchell Institute for Airpower Studies at the Air Force Association.

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Aerospace can make America great again - Sonoran News

Boom period for Boeing is over, leading analyst tells aerospace suppliers – The Seattle Times

Industry analyst Richard Aboulafia predicts tough years ahead, with Boeing depending heavily on increased 737 production as demand for its Everett-built twin-aisle jets slows and it struggles to fund development of the next airplane.

The great boom in the aerospace industry is over, and in the next few years Boeing will have to make even bigger cuts to large jet production in Everett than it has publicly announced, aviation-industry guru Richard Aboulafia predicted Wednesday.

His analysis for the Teal Group aviation-consulting firm predicts just 34 large twin-aisle 777s being delivered in 2020, less than three per month, compared with the lowest projection from Boeing of 42 deliveries per year, or 3.5 per month.

As for Boeings hope to raise production of the 787 Dreamliner from the current rate of 12 per month up to 14 per month, Aboulafia declared himself a serious nonbeliever.

Demand just isnt there in a twin-aisle-jet market that is flooded with way too many airplanes, he said.

In a downbeat speech to an audience of local suppliers and local government officials at the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA) conference in Lynnwood, Aboulafia also said Boeing faces a real dilemma in how to make its next move against Airbus.

And he spoke of a risk that the industry could slide from the current growth pause into outright recession if anti-trade and anti-globalization measures take hold around the world.

While a gentle dip for the airliner market is most likely, Aboulafia said, the building of walls and trade barriers could take this rather fragile industry into bust-cycle territory that would hurt Boeing more than any other company.

Referring to President Donald Trumps suggestion that the U.S. might slap a 45percent tariff on imports from China, Aboulafia said, Thats toxic.

The easiest place for China to retaliate is Boeing jetliners, switching to Airbus, he said.

A 12-yearlong boom in airliner-market growth came to an abrupt halt last year. The boom was driven by the high cost of oil, making new and more efficient planes more attractive, and the low cost of borrowing money to buy new aircraft.

The price of oil fell. The cost of financing has crept up and looks likely to go higher. And meanwhile both Airbus and Boeing pumped out record numbers of airplanes, creating a glut in the widebody-jet market.

Even the big, expansionist Gulf airlines have seen their revenue per passenger slump. When the Gulf carriers start to soften, you know you have an overcapacity issue, Aboulafia said.

Luckily for Boeing, demand for single-aisle jets remains very strong, so Renton will continue to increase production between now and 2019, he predicted.

As Boeing copes with the challenges of cutting production in Everett and raising it in Renton, it must also worry about its future competitive position against Airbus, Aboulafia said.

He said Boeing will likely have to develop a new middle-of-the-market (MOM) twin-aisle jet sized between the largest 737 and the smallest 787 and also develop a larger 737, the MAX 10, to stall the runaway sales of the Airbus A321neo.

The problem is, Boeing wont have the money to pour into a MOM development project until early next decade, Aboulafia said. All of Boeings research and development money is already earmarked through 2019 for its 737 MAX, 787-10 and 777X projects.

In contrast, he said, Airbus is free of all major development spending from 2018 on, and may well choose to move ahead of Boeing with a MOM development project.

Also holding Boeing back from new airplane development is the $27 billion overhang it still has in deferred production costs from its last new airplane project, the 787 Dreamliner.

In the aftermath of this major money-losing effort, Aboulafia suggested Boeing corporate in Chicago could be gun-shy about doing something all-new and potentially loss-making.

Always fluent and funny in his exposition, Aboulafia came up with a novel metaphor for Boeings pushing out nearly $30 billion in 787 production costs to be paid back from future revenue.

Its like, We cant save the patient, but we can put his head in a jar and hope future generations can revive him, Aboulafia said.

In the tough years ahead, he sees Boeing depending heavily on increased 737 production and further cost-squeezing.

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Boom period for Boeing is over, leading analyst tells aerospace suppliers - The Seattle Times

Karnataka govt to set up aerospace training centre with Dassault, VTU – Hindu Business Line

While Dassault will offer software and faculty, VTU will provide space at its campuses in Muddenahalli and Bengaluru, and infrastructure.

Bengaluru, February 16:

The Karnataka government plans to set up Centre of Excellence in Aerospace and Defence in collaboration with Dassault Systemes and Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU).

The new centre will provide high-end training and skill development to about 1,600 engineers a year.

The State plays host to several aerospace organiations such as HAL, ISRO, BEL, ADA, DRDO Labs, Airbus, Safran, Mahindra Aerospace, Tata Power SED, Tata Advance Material, Quest and Bombardier.

Karnataka Minister for IT, BT and Tourism, Priyank Kharge, said: The total cost of setting up the centre is 288.68 crore, of which the Karnataka governments contribution will be 34.36 crore over three years.

Dassault will put in 250.93 crore via software package, software updation/ licence charges, faculty and training.

VTU, as academic partner, will provide space at its campuses in Muddenahalli and Bengaluru. It will also offer infrastructure such as classrooms and meeting rooms, and meet the operational cost of maintenance and administration such as manpower, electricity and internet. Its total contribution will be about 4.29 crore.

The State is the leader in aerospace and defence in India, attracting 65 per cent of the investments in the country. Karnataka is the only State to have a full-fledged and dedicated Aerospace Policy, said Kharge.

The Centre of Excellence is expected to improve the employability of engineers and working professionals in the aerospace and defence industry through industry-focussed skill development programmes.

The youth will get an opportunity to take up aerospace and defence industrial design as a career option and those who are already practising in the area will get highly coveted industry-grade training, which will better their prospects, said Kharge.

(This article was published on February 16, 2017)

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Karnataka govt to set up aerospace training centre with Dassault, VTU - Hindu Business Line

Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance names Orion’s Theisen Executive of the Year – Auburn Reporter

Orion President and CEO John Theisen is Aerospace Executive of the Year. COURTESY PHOTO

The Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA) has selected Orion President and CEO John Theisen as Aerospace Executive of the Year in recognition of his leadership over the past 16 years in growing Orion Industries.

Orion has advanced from a small sheet metal fabricator into a world-class organization with operations in the aerospace and tele-services industries, according to a company news release. Orion has achieved 20 percent annual average sales increases for the past 13 years, growing to become the 10th largest aerospace employer in the state of Washington, with more than 400 employees. Orion has locations in Auburn, Mukilteo and Fort Eustis, Va.

Orion Industries is a social enterprise with a mission of helping those with barriers to employment, such as learning disabilities, low income and mental health barriers. Orion uses operations in its aerospace manufacturing division and in its award-winning contact center services division as platforms to teach people job skills through a combination of classroom instruction and on-the-job training, including mentoring and internship programs.

Orions manufacturing capabilities have grown to include sheet metal fabrication, complex machined parts, hydraulic assembly, metal finishing and a wire shop, serving a broad customer base in commercial aerospace, general aviation and defense.

Orions Contact Center is certified HIPAA, PCI, and ISO 27001 compliant, and provides support for companies including MultiCare, Microsoft, the U.S. Army, and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

In addition to the PNAA award, Orion has been recognized as a Boeing Global Supplier of the Year twice, as the Governors Aerospace Company of the Year, and as a Seattle Business Magazine Manufacturer of the Year. Orion has also recently received the Globe award from the World Trade Center Tacoma, and an Innovation award from the Puget Sound Business Journal.

To learn more, visit orionworks.org.

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Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance names Orion's Theisen Executive of the Year - Auburn Reporter

Karnataka seeks Tata Group investments in aerospace sector – The … – The Hindu

Large and Medium-Scale Industries Minister R.V. Desphande exclusively met Tata Sons, chairman emeritus, Ratan Tata, at the Aero India show and urged him to invest in the States aerospace sector through Tata Group companies. Officials said the Minister and Mr. Tata had discussions for about 20 minutes at the Tata VIP Chalet. Mr. Deshpande discussed various measures taken by the State to boost the aerospace segment, including the aerospace policy and the aerospace park being set up in Devanahalli.

Karnataka is the only State in the country which has formulated an aerospace policy and also has a strong presence of aerospace component manufacturing units.

Mr. Deshpande is said to have handed over a copy of the aerospace policy to Mr. Tata.

In his response, Mr. Tata asked his officials to look at the potential opportunity in the State, said an official.

About eight Tata Group companies are exhibiting their expertise and offerings in the aerospace and defence sector at the Aero India show.

****

Anil Ambanis 35-minute sortie

Industrialist Anil D. Ambani took a nearly 35-minute flight on a Rafale fighter jet on Wednesday. This is a proud moment for an Indian to have flown the worlds most advanced fighter aircraft. I look forward to an opportunity to make these aircraft under Make in India initiative and serve our nation, the air force and the navy, Mr. Ambani said in a statement following the flight.

Reliance Defence Ltd., which is headed by Mr. Ambani, has a joint venture with French company, Dassault Aviation, for the execution of offset obligations under the recently inked 60,000 crore deal for the production of 36 Rafale aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

For the second consecutive edition, Union Minister of State Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy, a pilot himself, flew during the air show. He too flew in a Rafale. Tested my flying skills on Rafale ... Amazing fly by wire technology... a robust machine, he tweeted.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Kanwal Kumar, Director General, Army Aviation Corps, took the light combat helicopter for a spin during the event.

****

A good Samaritan

With thousands of delegates and guests heading to Aero India, hundreds of drivers were seen struggling to find food and water within Air Force Station Yelahanka. With the nearest restaurant at a considerable distance from the base, and the food court at Aero India being out of bounds for those without passes, many drivers were left thirsty and hungry on the first day.

However, on Wednesday, the owner of a city-based cottage emporium who was in touch with the drivers brought food and water for the drivers.

****

Reliance Defence, Strata collaborate for manufacturing

Strata Manufacturing PJSC (Strata) of the United Arab Emirates, and Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Defence Ltd. have signed an MoU to collaborate on advanced aerospace manufacturing capabilities between India and the UAE. The potential partnership will look at opportunities in the production of carbon fibre composite aerostructures, pre-pregs as well as 3D printing of aerospace components and airframe panels. This collaboration is in line with Stratas vision to become one of the top aerospace companies globally.

****

Maini, Marshall Aerospace sign MoU

Bengaluru-based Maini Precision Products and the U.K.-based Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, have entered into a multimillion dollar life of programme contract for structural machined parts and sub-assemblies for a major aircraft programme, at Aero India. With this contract, Maini is now positioned as the single source from India to support Marshall for their manufacturing requirements for the duration of this programme.

****

Alpha Tocol delivers 100th Sukhoi flaperon

Alpha Tocol has delivered the 100th Sukhoi flaperon to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. Alpha Tocol has been associated with HAL for the development of these major assemblies from the inception of transfer of technology of Su-30MKI.

****

Aequs to invest 500 crore in Goa

Aequs aerospace precision engineering and manufacturing company on Wednesday announced to extend its ecosystem in aerospace and defence sectors. Aequs will open a high-end multi-capability aerospace and defence manufacturing facility at Tuem, Goa, with an initial investment of 500 crore. The initial capital will be used for the development of physical infrastructure, plant, machinery, and equipment. The new facility will be a multi-capability precision engineering with CNC machines and new-age technology to design and produce precision components for the Indian defence sector.

****

BEL receives offset contract from Elbit

Elbit Systems Electro-Optics Elop Ltd. (ELOP), Israel, has awarded Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) an offset contract for the supply of 10 compact multi-purpose advanced stabilised systems (CoMPASS) for use in the light combat helicopters being manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. BEL has entered into a technical collaboration agreement with ELOP for joint production and D-level maintenance of CoMPASS.

****

Airbus to set up skill development centre

Airbus has signed an MoU for establishing a centre of excellence for aerospace skill development in Hyderabad, together with the government of Telangana, National Skill Development Corporation, and AEROCAMPUS France. The centre will come up at Begumpet airport, Hyderabad, and will train candidates ranging from high school graduates to experienced aviation personnel in aircraft manufacturing; logistics; maintenance, repair and overhaul; ground handling; and special aviation processes. The centre will offer short-term refresher modules as well as long-term certificate and diploma courses that will find acceptability within the industry.

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Karnataka seeks Tata Group investments in aerospace sector - The ... - The Hindu

Project Gondola is GKN Aerospace. UK company investing $50 million in Bay County – WJHG-TV

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP)-- The St. Joe Company and the Bay Economic Development Alliance announced Tuesday that one of the world's largest independent first-tier suppliers to the international aviation industry will expand its operations by locating a new manufacturing facility in Venture Crossings Enterprise Centre in Bay County, Florida.

GKN Aerospace intends to lease this new manufacturing facility, which will be developed and owned by a subsidiary of St. Joe and designed to meet GKN Aerospace's specific requirements. With this new facility, GKN Aerospace plans to make a capital investment of approximately $50 million and create 170 new jobs for highly skilled employees.

This project was made possible through the combined efforts of Enterprise Florida, the University of West Florida, Bay County EDA, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Bay County Board of County Commissioners, CareerSource Florida, CareerSource Gulf Coast and Gulf Coast State College.

Jorge Gonzalez, The St. Joe Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, said,

"We are pleased that a company of the stature of GKN Aerospace will be bringing high-quality aerospace manufacturing jobs to Bay County. Manufacturing has a high economic multiplier effect, so we remain committed to working with the Bay County EDA and other partners to continue to attract quality job creators," said Jorge Gonzalez, president and chief executive officer of St. Joe Company.

Mike Grunza, CEO of GKN Aerospace's Aerostructures North America business, said, "This investment emphasizes our commitment to manufacturing in North America, as this new world-class facility will create jobs and strengthen our competitive position in the US aerospace market for the future. The excellent support we have received from Bay County EDA, Governor Rick Scott's office, higher educational partners and The St. Joe Company made Florida an ideal location for GKN."

"This is incredible news for Bay County and the State of Florida," said state Rep. Jay Trumbull. "When a global aerospace leader chooses your community to open a manufacturing facility, it puts you on the international map. This is just the beginning, and we will not stop until Bay County is the economic engine for Florida's Panhandle."

Florida State Senator George Gainer said, "This project is an excellent example of how our focused economic development recruitment efforts are helping to create good jobs for the citizens of Bay County and the entire Northwest Florida region."

"We are committed to making the Bay County site successful. This is the company's first location in the state and that is a complement to our community," Bay County Commission Chairman Bill Dozier said. "GKN is an outstanding company with a proven history and they will be a great addition."

"We are ecstatic to welcome GKN Aerospace to Bay County, Florida! The creation of 170 new jobs along with a capital investment of more than $50 million will have a legacy impact in our local economy said Clint Mizell, 2016 Chairman of the Bay Economic Development Alliance. "Our community came together as a team to land this game changing' project. We cannot say enough thanks to the many individuals and organizations that helped and supported our efforts."

The Venture Crossings business park is a "Florida First Sites" Certified Site. Florida First Sites is a regional site certification program for project-ready sites in the State of Florida. Each certified site undergoes a rigorous screening process, ensuring that pre-work has been completed, taking the majority of the risk out of the site selection process.

Anchored by Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, major arterial highways and several nearby Florida Gulf Coast military installations, Venture Crossings can provide the connections and solutions for a broad range of expanding businesses. A premier location and a motivated workforce with numerous training and educational facilities nearby create a nurturing environment for businesses.

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Project Gondola is GKN Aerospace. UK company investing $50 million in Bay County - WJHG-TV

Global trade dominates aerospace meeting in Lynnwood – The Daily Herald

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LYNNWOOD Trade-dependent businesses face an uncertain future: Will the federal government clamp down on visas for foreign workers? Will it cut the corporate tax rate?

Discussion of challenges and opportunities ahead dominated the opening day of the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliances annual conference. The three-day event is expected to draw more than 600 industry leaders from 15 countries.

Skepticism about freer trade and globalization have fueled the rise of populist politics from Warsaw to the White House. However, that does not mean turning away from trade altogether.

Leading up to Brexit the election in the United Kingdom to leave the European Union supporters of the measure were not calling for an end to free trade, they were calling for reclaiming national sovereignty, said Robin Twyman, the U.K.s consul for business and government affairs in Seattle.

For years, countries have been pursuing greater control over trade agreements. Global trade entities have proven too unwieldy. The World Trade Organization has been trying to update its rules since 2001 with little to show for it, said Eric Schinfeld, the Port of Seattles manager of federal and international government relations.

The U.S. and others have pursued multinational trade deals, he said. We already were very much down the path of a patchwork of global trade rules from country to country or groups of countries to groups of countries.

Washington state heavily depends on international trade, driven largely by the aerospace industry. In 2015, the U.S. aerospace sector exported roughly $134.6 billion in goods and services and imported just under $54.9 billion, according to AeroDynamic Advisory, an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based consulting firm.

Boeing airplanes make up a large portion of those exports, said Kevin Michaels, AeroDynamic Advisorys managing director.

In general, foreign aerospace companies have been investing and expanding in America, he said.

Nonetheless, the industry faces big challenges ahead. If the past decade in aerospace was about moonshots and technological advances, the next 10 years will be about efficiency and productivity, Michaels said.

Boeing has a bullish market outlook, and projects the need for nearly 40,000 commercial jets over the next 20 years. Its current order backlog is more than 5,600 airplanes, enough to keep some production lines busy well past 2020.

The company has a clear view of what its revenues will be as it delivers thousands of airplanes in the next few years, said Randy Tinseth, vice president of marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The biggest challenge going forward is where we will be with cost, he said.

Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dcatchpole.

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Global trade dominates aerospace meeting in Lynnwood - The Daily Herald

Pacific Aerospace delivers first P-750 to Thailand – Flightglobal

New Zealands Pacific Aerospace has delivered the first P-750 XSTOL to the Thai market, as it looks to double annual shipments of the single-engined turboprop in 2017.

The aircraft was handed over in early February to skydiving company Freefall Thailand. The skydiving market accounts for about a third of P-750 sales with the remainder ranging from ad hoc charter and scheduled services to cargo transport and pipeline inspection.

We have sold 112 P-750s to date, says Mark Crouch, Pacifics general manager, global markets. Papua New Guinea, with its remote communities, rough terrain and poor transport network, has become the largest market for the nine-seat type with 18 aircraft in service. XSTOL stands for extreme take-off and landing, and this capability is essential for aircraft operating within this country, says Crouch.

The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34-powered P-750 can take off and land in less than 800ft (244m). It has a maximum speed of 170kt (315km/h) and a range of 1,180nm (2,190km).

Pacific Aerospace

Crouch believes the P-750s short-field performance will also be a major draw for operators across South America, a market it has yet to penetrate. We havent cracked this region yet, he says, but there is so much potential here for this aircraft.

Pacific delivered 12 P-750s in 2016 double the output for the previous year and plans to ship 25 units in 2017. We plan to double the number again by 2019, says Crouch.

Chinas growing appetite for the P-750 should also help it to reach its 2019 delivery goal. This market is very strong, Crouch says.

Pacific set up a joint venture last year with Beijing General Aviation Company to assemble P-750s for the Chinese market. The facility in Changzhou has the capacity to build up to 100 units a year. We supply aircraft kits to the factory, which are then assembled and delivered to Chinese customers, Crouch says. The first aircraft was completed late last year and the second kit is packed and awaiting delivery. We are also about to ferry-fly two finished aircraft from our Hamilton base to China, while another two units are in production and scheduled for delivery this year, Crouch says.

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Pacific Aerospace delivers first P-750 to Thailand - Flightglobal

State promoting aerospace, defence sectors: Yanamala – The Hindu

The Andhra Pradesh government has been taking bold measures to provide an enabling ecosystem for a robust aerospace and defence sector in the State, said Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishndu.

Mr. Ramakrishnudu was addressing the Global CEOs conclave being organised by the State government in Aero India at the Air Force Station at Yalahanka near Bengaluru on Tuesday.

Aerospace and defence were among the very few high-value industries which were built on the combination of cutting edge technology and highly skilled professionals. The AP government was working towards establishing aerospace and defence parks in Anantapur, Chitoor and Nellore districts.

Ideal innovation location

The running and maintaining is done by an Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). These A&D parks would provide an ideal innovation location by integrating manufacturing centres with cutting edge research and development in hardware and embedded technologies, he said.

There were six operational ports with an aggregate capacity of 250 MMT. Further, seven ports were being planned. These ports would prove to be a huge enabler for aerospace and defence by opening up export markets to South East Asia. Furthermore, these ports would form a critical subset of the Sagarmala project paving the way for seamless domestic shipping.

The creation of Mega Aertropolis at Bhogapuram was not merely an expansion of the Visakhapatnam airport but entails the creation of state-of-the-art Maintenance-Repair-Overhaul (MRO) centre, he said.

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State promoting aerospace, defence sectors: Yanamala - The Hindu

First batch of aerospace MBAs set to graduate – The Hindu

As Indias aerospace business spreads its wings, the first batch of the countrys first aerospace MBA degree programme, aimed at preparing leaders in the aerospace industry, is set to complete the course this year.

With 45 students in the final segment of the course, the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) and Toulouse Business School (TBS) are now scouting for talent for the next batch starting later this year.

The two-year degree course, which is being showcased amid a slew of defence manufacturing companies at Aero India, generated interest among many visitors.

The fist batch has been successful and is ready to be absorbed by the industry where there is a huge gap of leadership. While the number of companies are increasing through joint ventures and startups, there was no specialised course to create leadership to head these companies, Christophe Benaroya, director of Aerospace MBA at TBS, told The Hindu. This specialised area requires training in handling business well, he added.

The course, which was backed by the aviation industry when it was launched, has seen nearly six pilots flying civilian and military aircraft enrol along with many others coming from diverse backgrounds, ranging from a software engineer to a business executive.

Currently, the Indian airline industry is flying its planes to Maldives, Sri Lanka and Singapore for maintenance and repairs. This is set to change in the next 10 years when the number of companies being set up is also expected to increase. This requires skilled top-level management to run the business, said Rajendra Prasad Kovi, who is part of the first batch. Most students of the course have been working in their respective fields for long years, and some of them are looking at a change of industry too, said Mr. Kovi, who has experience in providing IT services for travel industry.

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First batch of aerospace MBAs set to graduate - The Hindu

Aerospace leaders seek an edge at conference in Lynnwood – The Daily Herald

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LYNNWOOD Workers at the Lynnwood Convention Center are getting the place ready for the hundreds of aerospace leaders gathering here this week to discuss the industrys future.

The focus for this years Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliances 16th annual conference is how to keep or gain an edge in an increasingly competitive global market. The alliance is a nonprofit advocating on behalf of the aerospace industry.

From the biggest airplane makers Boeing and Airbus down to the smallest supplier, companies are being pushed to drive down production costs and time. That is changing the way we design and build each part and component of todays commercial and military jets, the PNAA notes on its website.

A glance at the conferences agenda reveals the anxiety creeping through the industry. The titles of two presentations refer to the more for less era.

Executives from leading aircraft manufacturers Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and newcomer Mitsubishi will update attendees on their airplane programs and where they see the market going. Suppliers, such as Ed Colvin, vice president at Arconic Forgings and Extrusions, will discuss how 3D printing and other new technologies are reshaping how parts are designed, made and delivered.

More than 600 people representing 355 companies are traveling from 10 countries to attend the conference, which runs from Tuesday through Thursday.

The conference also offers smaller companies opportunities to meet with representatives from Boeing and major aerospace suppliers.

Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dcatchpole.

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Aerospace leaders seek an edge at conference in Lynnwood - The Daily Herald

Aerospace Can Make America Great Again – Highland Community News (subscription)

SpaceX just launched ten Iridium Communications satellites into low-Earth orbit. These satellites will beam phone and data service to tens of thousands of Americans who live or work in areas too remote for regular coverage.

Until recently, blasting bus-sized satellites into space using rockets that can be reused belonged in the realm of science fiction. Now, such activities seem routine.

Policymakers should take note. Americans are set to reap the benefits of aerospace firms' race to tame the Final Frontier -- and the industry's investments in manufacturing will create new jobs and wealth in the United States, not just shuffle around current jobs by moving around government dollars.

Since its inception, the aerospace industry has produced technologies that improve Americans' quality of life. NASA helped invent memory foam, scratch-resistant glasses, insulin pumps and hundreds of other products we use every day.

Now, private companies are driving aerospace innovation. Thanks to satellite Internet firms, airplane passengers can enjoy Wi-Fi while cruising at 30,000 feet. That has made flying more enjoyable -- and far more productive. The technology also makes it possible for Americans in remote areas to access high-speed Internet.

Satellite internet has yet to reach its full potential. The satellite "internet of things" market is expected to grow nearly 20 percent each year through 2022. Improved connectivity -- made possible by new satellites -- will improve the efficiency of a wide range of appliances, not just computers and smartphones.

Launching new satellites to support this increased connectivity would have been far too expensive a few years ago. But today, thanks to California-based SpaceX and Washington-based Blue Origin's advances in rocket manufacturing, the cost of launches has plummeted. The Air Force is showing interest in ultra-low cost access to space, where reusable launch technologies stimulate tactical innovation in space operations.

Next-generation rockets have even made space-based businesses look viable.

Made in Space, a California startup, recently sent a 3D printer to the International Space Station, laying the groundwork for manufacturing in zero gravity. The firm plans to produce optical fiber in space, which would eliminate the microscopic imperfections caused by gravity. This high quality fiber could revolutionize everything from medical devices to telecommunications.

Aerospace firms aren't just spurring technological progress; they're supporting millions of jobs. America's aerospace sector employs over 1.2 million people and indirectly supports an additional 3.2 million jobs.

These jobs are helping to replace losses we've seen in the broader manufacturing sector. While the number of overall American manufacturing jobs dropped 22 percent from 2002 to 2012, jobs in the aerospace industry grew 7 percent. Aerospace exports also generated a trade surplus of over $80 billion in 2015 -- the highest in the manufacturing sector.

Aerospace companies are even leading the charge to revitalize the manufacturing workforce.

Firms are designing their own educational programs, often at community colleges, to train workers. Northrop Grumman, for instance, has partnered with Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, California to create a sixteen-week vocational program in aircraft manufacturing. The firm recruits many of the students upon graduation. Such public-private partnerships could serve as a model for manufacturers in other sectors.

Private aerospace companies are strengthening the labor force and pouring billions of dollars into new technologies that will improve Americans lives. That's a reason to cheer every liftoff.

Rebecca Grant, Ph.D., is president of IRIS Independent Research, a public-policy research organization, and director of the Washington Security Forum. She is the former director of the General Billy Mitchell Institute for Airpower Studies at the Air Force Association.

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Aerospace Can Make America Great Again - Highland Community News (subscription)

Using X-Ray Inspection to Examine Turbine Blades in the Aerospace Industry – AZoM

Table of Content

Introduction Wall Thickness Erosion and Wear 3D Inspection

During inspection of complex turbine components, most demands can be satisfied using computed tomography (CT) X-ray technology. It is important to examine several aspects of the blade to ensure quality and performance. Turbine manufacturers are usually concerned with the erosion, wear, and wall thickness of the blade.

A wall thickness analysis can be carried out in Volume Graphics, color coordinating wall thickness to scale. A predefined inspection can be set up with inspect/reject requirements, which will indicate if the wall thickness is too thin.

Another important aspect is airflow. When in use, air is pumped through so the blade is maintained in a cool state. Vent holes are drilled following the cast process. It is important to examine the drilling to ensure that no hotspot is created by striking the back wall during the drilling process.

Generally, composite manufacturers try to identify delamination, wrinkles, porosities, lack of material, and fiber orientation problems.

The composite material is made of layers, where fibers are distributed in three dimensions, which makes 3D X-ray scanning important. The material properties are anisotropic as they vary based on the material orientation.

Manufacturers are concerned about the delamination of the layers, as this leads to a reduction in reinforcement with the structure becoming compromised. Porosity detection is also important because porosity can turn into a stress point to form a crack or delamination. Fiber orientation is critical to the strength of the structure being assembled.

The 3D rendering capabilities of North Star Imagings proprietary efX-CT software enables multiple virtual cross sections through the part in multiple axes, and the resolution often enables observing individual composite fibers that are only a few micrometers in size. Wrinkles and delamination are identifiable. Porosities are measurable and quantifiable.

CT allows focus to be placed on observing the true indication and its location. Using 3D images, the relationship of the actual indications can be observed, their size can be quantified, and the relationship to machine surfaces and edges can be seen.

Another dynamic feature of CT is the capability to create a surface rendering of the component. Creating a polygonal mesh to extract the surface information and the ability to define or surface items such as gas porosity within a weld increases measurement ability and accuracy.

Surface extraction can be very simple for products like tube welds or castings where the material is somewhat homogenous. In the case of North Star Imaging's tubing weld, the porosity indications have a surface created around them, which allows the post- processing software to measure these features or create a porosity report as per threshold size settings for maximum and minimum indications.

At this stage, the interpreter has the full capability of reviewing the data in 3D. They can measure the indication, review spacing and orientation, and make decisions on part quality with data that was previously unavailable.

Download the Brochure for More Information

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by North Star Imaging, Inc.

For more information on this source, please visit North Star Imaging, Inc.

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Using X-Ray Inspection to Examine Turbine Blades in the Aerospace Industry - AZoM

Bengaluru ideally placed to emerge as a hub for aerospace and defence – YourStory.com

At a session on Aerospace and Defence at the Make in India Karnataka conference on Monday, various speakers from large MNCs and defence PSUs echoed the view that brand Bengaluru was firmly entrenched as the aerospace and defence capitalof the country and was gearing up to play a larger role in the world.

Speakers were of the view that, with the large number of defence SMEs and MSMEs in the city and the abundance of human capital, it was easy for companies to set up shop in Bengaluru and find the right talent.

The speakers views mirrored the Karnataka governments intention of betting big on defence and aerospace, especially with Aero India 2017 starting on February 14 at the Yelahanka Air Force Station, where the chatter is veering towards offsets and Make in India.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited chairman Suvarna Raju said that Karnataka has the potential for greater industrial participation owing to a large number of engineering colleges that churn out thousands of graduates. Though a majority of these graduates are not readily employable, they can be moulded into a good workforce to fit the needs of foreign companies as well as Indian companies that produce for them.

Karnataka is the first state to come out with an aerospace policy as well as have two exclusive aerospace parks. All this will help Karnataka become an aerospace hub by 2023 and an MRO hub a few years down the line, Raju said.

He announced that HAL had already trained four lakh hands under a National Skill Development Corporation programme for aerospace precision engineering, and that these trained people could be employed in the industry to make precision components and other products.

Raju said that HAL also had 5,200 MSMEs or ancillary units attached to it, and that the defence PSU would soon turn into an integrator and outsource most of its production. The defence offsets is a good policy and huge investments are expected in this sector, he added.

Baba Kalyani, chairman of Bharat Forge, said that the Make in India programme initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi two and a half years ago is bearing fruit now. It means that we will be manufacturing four to five times the quantity we are making now, he said, giving the audience a sense of how big this sector is going to be.

On a cautionary note, Kalyani said the industry needs to see orders flowing in. Of course, that means one has to plan in all respects right now, he added.

Lauding the UK for its excellent university-industry programme, he called for replicating such programmes in the country.

UKs Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin, who is in the city to attend the Make in India-Karnataka conference, said that India and the UK make for ideal partners in defence and aerospace. The UK, despite leaving the EU, wants to reach out to other places. That is one of the reasons why UK Prime Minister Therasa May chose to make India her first stop after Europe. Fewer barriers and more trade between our two countries will make us prosper and secure, she said.

She emphasised that Bengaluru had a special relationship with the UK as several Britishcompanies had been partnering with HAL for decades.

The panel, moderated by Sandeep Maini who headed the aerospace policy, was chaired by the states industries commissioner and had panellists representing large MNCs that are based in Bengaluru or have their R&D facilities here.

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Bengaluru ideally placed to emerge as a hub for aerospace and defence - YourStory.com

Best of Both Worlds: Aerospace Engineering and Business Merge in New Courses – University of Virginia

One student uses the collaborative courses to better understand the financial viability of the supersonic aircraft he dreams of engineering. Another plans to apply her new knowledge of engineering and manufacturing to conducting stock research when she joins a New York City equity firm after graduation.

The students are enrolled in two courses pairing students in the University of Virginias mechanical and aerospace engineering masters program with faculty and students in the McIntire School of Commerce. One course, Manufacturing in the Global Economy, taught by visiting lecturer and Rolls-Royce executive Dean Roberts, helps students understand how supply chains and government regulations affect the aerospace or automotive industries. The second, Managing Sustainable Development, taught by Associate Professor of Commerce Brad Brown, explores how engineering and technology advances could impact developing nations or address global issues like climate change.

These courses will help students in the Commerce School better understand mechanical and aerospace engineering, and help engineering students better understand how to deal with manufacturing lines, supply chains and other business concepts, Associate Chair of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Chris Li said.

This new partnership is a great example of cross-school collaboration between the schools of Commerce and Engineering to provide University of Virginia students a unique academic experience with renowned professors, said Eric Loth, who chairs the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. This combination provides our students with world-class knowledge and expertise that will produce the next generation of national leaders and keep UVA attheforefront ofacademicexcellence.

The courses, launched in January, include a mixture of graduate engineering students and undergraduate and graduate business students. According to Roberts, the variety of students backgrounds makes for a lively classroom.

It is really exciting, because in one classroom you have people that are going to go into investment banking, consulting or finance, mixing with those who will be designing aircraft or developing new materials, Roberts said. It is a really eclectic bunch of individuals and makes for a profound learning experience.

Roberts leads efforts to research, analyze and sell new initiatives at Rolls-Royce, which has a longstanding partnership with UVAs School of Engineering and Applied Science. He recently published a book based on the course content, Entering the Civil Aircraft Industry: Business Realities at the Technological Frontier.

His course uses industries like aerospace manufacturing to study how management practices can encourage innovation and how government intervention can affect growth. For example, in one week students examined how the Northern Atlantic Free Trade Agreement impacted the aerospace industry in Mexico before talking about the concept of comparative advantage as a basis for free trade.

The course is very current, taking on live issues that are very topical right now, he said. At the same time, it gives students a very broad grounding in manufacturing in a global sense.

Browns course, which focuses on sustainable development, also has a global mindset. He encourages students to examine how technology and business can help people around the world lift themselves out of poverty or help alleviate global concerns like climate change.

The engineering students bring lots of ideas, and the course helps them think about how their ideas could be applied in countries that do not have robust infrastructure or resources, Brown said.

Fourth-year commerce student Sarah McCann, a student in Roberts course, said that talking with her engineering classmates has helped her better understand the technical realities of manufacturing a product.

As business students we are used to talking about high-level strategy, which is certainly important, McCann said. Hearing from engineers helps to understand the technical aspects of making these products and grounds us in what is really happening in the industry.

McCann believes the insights she has gained from her classmates and from a professor with more than 30 years of experience in the industry will be very helpful when she starts her job researching stocks at an equity firm in New York City this summer.

She is not alone in viewing the course as an excellent asset to future employers. Alejandro Nava Moncada, an engineering graduate student enrolled in Browns course, said the course has helped him learn more about nonprofits and other organizations working to alleviate poverty in developing nations while teaching him the managerial skills he hopes to apply in his career.

The class really pushes me to go beyond the engineering perspective and understand the dynamics of the business world, said Moncada, who also earned his undergraduate engineering degree from UVA in 2016. My goal is to become a project manager overseeing bigger and bigger projects over time, which is why I am glad to get more business classes.

Fellow engineering student Mohan Jayathirtha, enrolled in the global manufacturing course, wants to be ready for challenges facing engineers in the automotive industry.

I am very passionate about the automotive industry and I see it taking a turn in the coming years, as electric or even self-driving cars become more common, said Jayathirtha, who worked as a product engineer for an automotive company in India before coming to UVA.

If I focus only on the technical aspects of my job, I dont feel as completely connected to the automotive industry as I could be if I understood the business side, he said. This class gives me that connection with how the industry works and the far-reaching impact it has on the global economy.

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Best of Both Worlds: Aerospace Engineering and Business Merge in New Courses - University of Virginia

State’s aerospace companies to head to Australian air show – Hartford Business

Howard French | Journal Inquirer

Connecticut aerospace companies, ranging from Vernon's 50-employee Soldream Inc. to East Hartford-based jet engine giant Pratt & Whitney, will be promoting their products at Australia's Avalon Air Show the week of Feb. 27.

The U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center in Middletown has organized a delegation of companies from Connecticut and other northeastern states to travel to Australia for the Avalon Air Show, Anne S. Evans, commerce department district director said.

One of Pratt's major products, its F135 military engine, will be front and center as the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter makes its first appearance in the Australian air show. The plane, built by Lockheed Martin, uses the Pratt engine exclusively.

Two of the state-of-the-art combat aircraft will be flown there from their U.S. base, where Australian pilots are being trained, the air show website says. The planes will be part of the air show's "extensive ground display of military aircraft," the website adds.

The Royal Australian Air Force has ordered 72 of the planes.

Soldream, founded in 1992, is a subcontractor for Pratt and several other aerospace companies as well as the Defense Department. The company in 2010 moved from Tolland to its 25,000-square-foot plant at 129 Reservoir Road, Vernon.

The regional northeastern U.S. delegation also includes Interpro Technologies of Deep River, Specialty Cable Corp. in Wallingford, and Connecticut Coining Inc., of Bethel, Evans said. They will be joined by similar companies from New York to Vermont, she said.

Evans said the last such trade mission to Australia in 2013 paid dividends for the local companies that took part.

"That mission had an aerospace/defense component, but also included a number of other companies in the software, medical device, and tourism sectors," Evans said. A number of those companies have been doing business in Australia over the more than three years since the trade show, she said.

Evans said her office is working closely with Australia's State of Victoria to arrange for companies from Victoria and other parts of Australia to share exhibit space with the Northeast USA exhibit. There also will be a number of "pre-arranged one-on-one meetings" for the northeast contingent with potential Australian customers and partners.

U.S. Rep. Joseph D. Courtney, D-2nd District, has worked with the Commerce Department to forge a business relationship with Australia, Evans said.

In September, Courtney hosted a breakfast meeting in Washington, D.C., for the Victoria member of parliament who is head of their business and trade department, she said.

Victoria, in turn, is hosting a luncheon for the U.S. companies on Feb. 27 that will include a session on doing business with the Australian defense forces, Evans said.

Courtney has led several trade trips abroad since 2009, taking Connecticut companies to Belgium, Great Britain, and Israel.

The Connecticut District Export Council is organizing the Australian trip, with each company paying its own costs, Evans said.

"There is no government funding for this trip," she added.

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State's aerospace companies to head to Australian air show - Hartford Business

Keeping Canada at forefront of global leadership in aerospace sector – eTurboNews

The Government of Canada is committed to keeping Canada at the forefront of global leadership in the aerospace sector. The aerospace industry is one of the most innovative industries in Canada, and it provides over 211,000 quality jobs for Canadians and $28 billion annually in GDP to Canada's economy.

That is why, today, the Government of Canada announced that it will provide $372.5 million in repayable contributions to Bombardier Inc. This funding will be provided over four years and will support thousands of good middle-class jobs, strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Bombardier and help to build the aircraft of the future.

Through its collaboration with Bombardier, the Government of Canada is investing in thousands of Canadians and hundreds of suppliers across the country. As the nation's largest aerospace company, Bombardier supports thousands of jobs in design, engineering and manufacturing through its nation-wide supply chain of companies. This initiative by the Government of Canada will fund research and development for the new Global 7000 business jet and ongoing activities related to the development of the company's C Series aircraft.

The Government of Canada has a long-standing relationship with Bombardier, Canada's biggest private sector investor in research and development activities. These activities strengthen the skills and knowledge of Canadians working in the aerospace sector, and they lead to new manufacturing platforms that position Canadians working in the sector for the jobs of tomorrow. The resulting benefits enable Canada to maintain a competitive position in the global supply chain that forms the aerospace sector.

Quotes

"This contribution from the Government of Canada will secure the highly skilled, well-paying jobs for middle-class Canadians who work in the aerospace sector. It will also ensure that Canada has a strong, stable and competitive aerospace industry, which is a major driver of economic activity and innovation across the country. Bombardier plays a vital role, both as an anchor employer and an innovation leader. The Government of Canada is proud to invest in research and development activities that secure Canadian jobs, while enabling Bombardier to grow as a globally competitive company for years to come."

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

"We welcome the continuing partnership with the Canadian government. The repayable contributions announced today will help to ensure that Canada remains at the centre of Bombardier's research and development activities, which are focused on developing the most efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly aircraft in the world. While we compete globally, we are proud of our Canadian home, our heritage and our position as one of Canada's leading high-technology manufacturers and employers."

Alain Bellemare, CEO, Bombardier Inc.

Quick facts

Aerospace leads all manufacturing industries in research and development. It accounts for nearly one-third of all research and development activity in Canada's manufacturing sector, which translates to $28 billion of economic activity every year. Canada's aerospace sector employs, directly and indirectly, 211,000 people across the country.

Aerospace companies are Canada's leading exporters in terms of trade intensity at twice that of the manufacturing average. Close to 80 percent of aerospace manufacturing was exported in 2015.

The repayable contribution to the Global 7000 jet will be made through the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI). This program supports specific research and development activities that help aerospace and defence companies develop new technologies.

Another portion of this investment will be made through the government's existing contribution agreements with Bombardier. This contribution will support ongoing activities related to the development of the company's C Series aircraft. The C Series is an example of Canadian innovation and clean technology that is the future of the aerospace industry.

In May 2005, Canada first announced that it would support the C Series with a $350-million repayable contribution.

On October 11, 2016, the government announced an investment of up to $54 million to support a Bombardier-led consortium under the Technology Demonstration Program. The consortium will develop state-of-the-art electric systems and advanced aerodynamic systems that will make the aircraft of the future more energy efficient, reliable and quiet.

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Keeping Canada at forefront of global leadership in aerospace sector - eTurboNews