OTTAWA, April 16, 2012 /CNW/ - The Aerospace Industry Association of Canada (AIAC) applauds the milestone achievement marked by the successful inaugural flight of the first international F-35 in Fort Worth, Texas that took place on Friday, April 13.
"This flight highlights the achievements of Canada's aerospace industry and the integral role our technologies play in making the F-35's state-of-the-art platform successful," said David Schellenberg, Chairman of the Board of the AIAC. "This is a significant milestone for the F-35 fighter as well as for the Canadian aerospace industry as a whole."
Several Canadian aerospace companies have contributed to the Short Takeoff-Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant of the F-35, including Composites Atlantic, Esterline CMC Electronics, Héroux-Devtek, Honeywell, Magellan, and Pratt & Whitney Canada.
"Canada's aerospace workers share the success of the first completed flight of an international F-35. Friday's flight was a clear demonstration of their capacity to deliver outstanding technical capabilities at the international level," said Schellenberg. "The Canadian aerospace industry has made an important contribution to this multi-nation effort of developing a fifth-generation fighter, and we are very proud of its accomplishment."
The AIAC is the national association representing Canada's aerospace manufacturing and services sector. As the world's fifth largest aerospace industry, Canada's aerospace sector generates than $22 billion and employed 80,000 Canadians. Nearly 80 per cent of Canadian aerospace products were exported. AIAC represents the interests of 400 aerospace companies across Canada.
Maryse Harvey, Vice-President Public Affairs
Aerospace Industries Association of Canada
(613) 760-4562, [email protected]
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