#USA #Applied Aerospace #Stockton #De Havilland Canada #DHC-515

Applied Aerospace Chosen to Manufacture Components for the DHC-515

Applied Aerospace, a prominent manufacturer specializing in solutions for both commercial and military aviation, has secured a significant contract from De Havilland Canada. This agreement will see Applied Aerospace produce essential flight components for the new De Havilland Canadair-515 (DHC-515) firefighting aircraft. Specifically, the company will be responsible for manufacturing all critical flight control surfaces, including ailerons, flaps, and elevators.

The DHC-515 is designed as a twin-engine firefighting aircraft that boasts unique amphibious capabilities. This innovative aircraft can skim the surface of a body of water, filling its tanks in a remarkable 12 seconds, and then return to the skies to deliver upwards of 6,000 liters of water with remarkable precision against wildfires. This latest addition to the firefighting fleet builds on a legacy of over 50 years from its predecessors, the CL-415 and CL-215, featuring enhanced designs, improved corrosion protection, and upgraded avionics to meet modern firefighting demands.

With more than 70 years of experience, Applied Aerospace has an impressive track record in building fuselage and wing structures, control surfaces, radomes, pylons, and critical sub-systems across more than 45 military and commercial aircraft. Their vast expertise combines metal, composite, and polymer engineering, and they operate from a sprawling 25-acre campus comprising ten buildings in Stockton, California where this crucial work will be carried out.

Kevin Bidlack, CEO of Applied Aerospace, expressed his enthusiasm about this partnership: "We are thrilled to be selected by De Havilland Canada as a key partner for the DHC-515, and we look forward to collaborating with them on this important project. With wildfire seasons becoming longer and more severe yearly, advancements in airborne firefighting platforms like the DHC-515 are essential. We take pride in contributing to such a critical mission."

Janet Wardle, Senior Vice-President of Supply Chain and Engineering for De Havilland Canada, highlighted the importance of this collaboration: "We are proud to partner with Applied Aerospace for the DHC-515 program. Their extensive manufacturing expertise and unwavering commitment to quality make them the perfect collaborator for this next-generation firefighting aircraft. Given the increasing severity of wildfire seasons globally, the DHC-515 represents a significant advancement in our efforts to combat such challenges. We are confident that Applied Aerospace’s contributions will help us create a highly capable, reliable, and mission-ready aircraft."

About Applied Aerospace
Applied Aerospace recognizes the demands of precision engineering, expert manufacturing, and unyielding quality assurance that aerospace systems require. Both government and commercial entities count on their solutions to perform under the harshest conditions of hypersonic and orbital flight. With a heritage of 70 years in air, land, sea, and space applications, the company embraces advanced engineering techniques alongside proven methods in composite and metallic manufacturing. This includes the assembly of fuselage and wing structures, actuated control surfaces, radomes, antennas, and other complex solutions employed in aviation, unmanned systems, missiles, launch vehicles, and spacecraft. Applied Aerospace is a portfolio company of Greenbriar Equity. For further information, please visit Applied Aerospace's website.

About De Havilland of Canada Limited
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited stands as a pillar of innovation in Canadian aerospace, dedicated to designing, building, and supporting aircraft tailored for the global market. Every aircraft produced generates high-value employment, strengthens the national aerospace sector, and contributes to a robust and evolving economy. With a fleet exceeding 5,000 aircraft delivered to operators worldwide, De Havilland Canada is celebrated for its rugged and reliable performance, along with exceptional customer support. Their aircraft serve a variety of demanding roles, including aerial firefighting, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and surveillance. The company’s legacy, nearing a century, is powered by a committed Canadian workforce dedicated to advancing the future of aviation. Discover more at De Havilland's website.