Boeing and Airborne sign Apache Helicopter Rotor Blade Repair License Agreement
Paris, June 21, 2017 – Boeing and Airborne Services signed a licensing agreement for the maintenance and repair of Apache helicopter rotor blades, at the Paris Air Show. With this agreement, the international Boeing operator network will now have an alternative option when it comes to rotor blade repairs.
Boeing Authorized Licensee
A licensing agreement signed during the Paris Air Show between The Boeing Company and Airborne Services enables Airborne to perform the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of rotor blades for international operators of the Apache helicopter.
The increased need for MRO came about as a result of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) spending more hours flying the Apache helicopter fleet. The Dutch Airforce Logistics Center – Woensdrecht (LCW) wanted to have a local partner as an extra source of support to help to increase capacity and create flexibility. Airborne Services was one of the LCW’s local partners with the capability to support the Apache helicopter fleet.
Airborne Services currently supports the RNLAF in the NH-90, Cougar, Chinook and Apache helicopter component maintenance and has a state-of-the-art repair facility at the main support base. This allows Airborne to complement the LCW with additional MRO capabilities for Apache main rotor blades.
“Boeing and Airborne have been partners for more than 15 years,” said Maria Laine, vice president, Boeing International Strategic Partnerships. “By teaming with specialized international partners we continue to offer affordability, short repair turn-around time and aircraft readiness for Boeing operators around the world.”
Air Commodore Mario Verbeek, director Sustainment and Logistics, RNLAF, also attended the event and said: “As an operator of the AH-64 we benefit by this agreement to increase the availability of our helicopters.”
Representatives from Boeing, Airborne, the RNLAF, and the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs were present to observe the licensing agreement signing.
Airborne Services Director Marco Brinkman concluded: “We look forward to collaborating with Boeing and serving the military helicopter market in this part of the world.”
Photo caption:
Signing of license agreement Boeing and Airborne Services at Paris Airshow 2017. Sitting (right to left): Mr. Marco Brinkman Managing Director Airborne Services and Mrs. Maria Laine – vice president, Boeing International Strategic Partnerships.
Standing (left to right): Air Commodore Mr. Mario Verbeek – Commander of the Logistic Centre Woensdrecht, Mr. Pieter Taal – Commissioner Military Production The Ministry of Economic Affair, Mr. Bert Pauli, Deputy Governor for Brabant.
About Boeing:
Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. Boeing products and tailored services include commercial and military aircraft, satellites, weapons, electronic and defense systems, launch systems, advanced information and communication systems, and performance-based logistics and training. With corporate offices in Chicago, Boeing employs approximately 145,000 people across the United States and in more than 65 countries. The company also leverages the talents of hundreds of thousands more skilled people working for Boeing suppliers worldwide. Total company revenues for 2016 were $94.6 billion.
About Airborne:
Airborne is a company specialized in the design, manufacturing and maintenance of composite aero-structures. The group employs around 250 people and has facilities in The Netherlands, UK and Spain. The business unit Airborne Services is active in maintenance and repair of composite structures, with a focus on rotor blades of military and civil helicopters.
www.airborne.com
For further information, please contact:
• John Morrocco, BDS Global Communications, john.morrocco@boeing.com
• B. Weber, Airborne Marketing Manager, b.weber@airborne.com
Click this link for the photos.