Boeing and Ruag team up for maintenance, repair

Boeing Defence Australia and Ruag Australia have signed a component repair framework contract to beef up their aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities.

Under the contract locally-owned Ruag will perform enhanced intermediate-level repairs on an initial three components for the RAAF’s F/A-18F and EA-18G Growler aircraft, with the potential to support further components in future.

The components, including the main and nose wheel hubs and a component from the environmental control system, are currently repaired in the United States through the US Navy’s Foreign Military Sale program.

BDA’s ACEAS Program Manager Chris Gray said: “This contract is an important step in building resilience into Australia’s Super Hornet and Growler supply chains and demonstrates Australian industry’s ability to develop innovative solutions for our customers.

“Furthermore, it supports efforts by the AUSMIN Defence Acquisition Committee’s MRO Logistics Working Group to secure more local and international MRO work for Australian industry.”

The contract signing follows RUAG’s recent success at becoming the first Australian company to be accredited to repair E-7A Wedgetail Air Cycle Machines.

Ruag offers precision manufacturing, MRO activities, metal treatment and finishing and engineering, as well as undertaking R&D of advanced repair technologies.

RUAG Australia’s General Manger Terry Miles said the contract was an important next step in a 19-year industry partnership between the two companies.

Miles said: “This is a significant achievement towards using in-country sovereign capability to support Boeing and the F/A-18F and EA-18G platforms for the Royal Australian Air Force.”

Boeing Defence Australia supports a number of Australian defence aircraft types: the F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, C-17A Globemaster, P-8A Poseidon, E-7A Wedgetail, CH-47F Chinook, EC-135 training helicopter and the soon-to-be-introduced AH-64E Apache.

Picture: Boeing Australia

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