Ward had high praise for the cockpit lighting, calling it “the best he’s ever seen.” AF-6’s flight, which consisted of a series of straight in approaches in twilight and darkness, clears the way for night refueling and formation testing later this year.

LOCAL FIRM REACHES FOR THE SKY
An Aldergrove plant showcases its high-tech aerospace work

Most people who work in manufacturing plants and industrial sites never meet the people who use their product.

Typically the products made at AIT Canada in Aldergrove can be found at military bases abroad.

Since 2006, Aldergrove has been home to the Canadian operation of the Texas-based Advanced Integration Technology (AIT) which is building parts for the multinational Joint Strike Fighter program.

On Jan. 19 AIT staff got to meet Canada’s Defense Minister Julian Fantino when he and others toured the plant, but it was a visit from Canadian military pilot Major James Kettles that helped them put the pieces together.

The lives of Canadian military members and members of Canada’s military allies rely on the types of specialized equipment AIT staff construct.

Most recently that was the Electronic Mate and Assembly System, a set of positioners (essentially the world’s most complicated vehicle lift for when the aircraft are being assembled) that allowed mechanics to work on F-35 aircraft. This set will be shipped to Italy.

“It’s good,” said millright Paolo Canlas about meeting Kettles. “It’s very informative to know who uses it.”

Sophia Spence said she started with AIT last year as an entry level painter, covering playwood. Since then she has worked her way up to painting the precision pieces used in the positioners, learning about all technology of something as simple as paint.

AIT is one of a growing number of specialized firms tucked away in Aldergrove that are helping create a skilled workforce.

AIT has about 50 employees at its Aldergrove shop and recently leased space in the Gloucester Industrial Park to add a machining shop. AIT started out in Port Kells in 2006 and moved east within a couple of years.

AIT president Stephen Taylor-Lewis said most of the parts for the jet positioner and its other products are constructed locally with the complex electronics sourced from around the world.

AIT is based in Texas where the design and programming work is done. Then the manufacturing is done in Aldergrove.

Taylor-Lewis said they do as much as they can in-house but if need be rely on a network of local businesses and contractors. AIT also does work for other firms such as Boeing.

AIT will end up making four sets of the positioners that will be shipped to various countries that are part of the F-35 program.

These AIT products go to Lockheed Martin which has the contract to oversee the F-35 program.

“We’re producing aircraft for three different countries and five different forces,” said Keith Knotts, with U.S. defence contractor Lockheed Martin. “We rely very heavily on Canadian industry.”

Make it and take it

Canada will not only be helping to build the F-35 jets but will also be buying some, up to $9 billion worth in the coming years.

Fantino said Canada will need to replace its CF-18 jets which are about 40 years old. By being part of the Joint Strike Fighter program (since 1997), Canada is able to obtain new jets, enjoy cost savings and see an impact on the workforce, he said.

Workers and industry benefit from the high-tech jobs that are part of the program, he said.

“The return for Canada is very lucrative indeed,” Fantino said.

So far 65 Canadian companies have received about $370 million in contracts related to the development of the F-35 and its various ancillary systems.

While on the West Coast Fantino also visited a Delta firm, Avcorp, which makes the outboard wings for the F-35s for carriers.

The Joint Strike Fighter program includes the U.S., Canada, Australia, Denmark, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Fantino said adding the F-35s to Canada’s military is part of maintaining sovereignty but also gives Canada an advantage abroad.

Countries that must work together on international missions benefit from having the same equipment, he said.

Fantino pointed to the recent Libya campaign. Canada was able to do midair refueling for almost all of the 17 partner nations in the U.N. action.

Such equipment helps Canada meet its NATO and UN commitments, he noted.

So far more than 100 F-35s have been constructed but they are being tested before being sold. Canada will likely start buying around 2016.

Fantino said the cost of replacement aircraft would be considerably higher if Canada was developing its own aircraft and noted that the United States has paid a lot of the up-front costs for the aircraft.

“It would be absolutely irresponsible to bail out,” he commented.

Major James Kettles, a military pilot, spoke with those attending the government presentation, including Nigel Magdanz with UAS Canada which does water cutting for AIT, staff millrights Paulo Canlas and Steve Hettrick and painter Sophia Spence. Photograph by: Heather Colpitts, Langley Advance.

AIT president Stephen Taylor-Lewis introduced Defence Minister Julian Fantino. Photograph by: Heather Colpitts, Langley Advance.

ALDERGROVE PLAYS KEY ROLE IN BUILDING NEW STEALTH FIGHTER JETS

An Aldergrove-based company’s share of the international contracts for the new F-35 stealth fighter jets is providing more than two years of work for 65 employees at Advanced Integration Technology’s plant here.

AIT Canada designs, engineers and manufactures custom aerospace equipment used throughout the world. And in partnership with Lockheed Martin, AIT Canada is building the automated alignment systems that will ensure all of the new F35 jet airframes are built to exacting specifications.

On Thursday morning, representatives of Canada’s government and military toured the AIT plant in Aldergrove for a first-hand look at the work being done here.

Associate Minister of National Defence Julian Fantino said the $200 million that the federal government has invested so far in the Joint Strike Fighter program has “resulted in $370 million in contracts for Canadian business and research institutions.”

Fantino said the first complete system built by AIT is already in use at a Fort Worth, Texas production line and the next one will be shipped to Italy.

AIT spokesman Steve Taylor Lewis said four will be built in total, with the final one set for delivery in 2013.

“This is welcome news for Aldergrove because it supports skilled local jobs and reinforces the value of our technological expertise,” said Langley MP Mark Warawa.

More than 100 F-35s will be built in the 30-year international JSF program, with Canada expecting delivery of its first F-35 jet in 2016.

“AIT’s success is not only good for Aldergrove, the stealth fighter will enable the military to do its job effectively and give the pilots the best chances of returning home,” said Fantino.

Major James Kettles has logged over 2,400 hours in the CF-18 jets, including 52 combat missions over Libya, and said he is “looking forward to the first F-35s. The CF-18 has been a spectacular race horse, but the old girl is getting tired.”

The Canadian government has not yet determined the exact number of F-35 jets it will acquire, said Fantino, but he noted that the CF-18 will be closing in on 40 years of service when the first F-35s come into service.

Fantino said the government is still working on the number of jets it will eventually purchase but said Canada “will be in the most advantageous situation regarding all of the issues and economics.

“Canada is not simply acquiring a fighter jet — we are a partner in a multi-national effort with our allies to develop and field a fighter jet suited for the 21st century.”

Canadian military, government and industry representatives stand in front of the F-35 stealth fighter jet assembly tools being built at the Advanced Integration Technology plant in Aldergrove. From left: Major James Kettles, Associate Minister of National Defence Julian Fantino, AIT Canada’s Steve Taylor Lewis, Langley MP Mark Warawa and Keith Knotts of Lockheed Martin.

Lockheed Martin photo by Tom Reynolds

Lockheed Martin photo by Darin Russell

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