However,
Highly anticipated takeoff new canadair:
The smell of fresh paint still floats in the air in the hangar of the aeronautical manufacturer of Havilland in Calgary. Nevertheless, where new Canadair is assembled. Furthermore, The manufacture of this tank plane, interrupted 10 years ago, has just resumed under pressure from customers … Furthermore, and the doubt of some.
The mounting chain of the water bomber is not yet over. Nevertheless, To speed up production, De Havilland Set up the work stations as the parts fit.
We feel the pressure. Meanwhile, We know how important this new plane is. Similarly, we are doing everything we can to get it out on time
explains the vice-president of general affairs at De Havilland, Neil Sweeney.
Neil Sweeney admits that he was never a fanatic of planes. Furthermore, but working with the tanker planes impresses him. Furthermore,
Photo: Radio-Canada / Tiphanie Roquette
About 160 Canadair devices are still used worldwide, but most of these CL-215 and CL-415 are aging.
The increase in the frequency and intensity of forest fires have forced countries to increase their resources to fight fire.
And in this area. Additionally, Furthermore, Canadair is unique, underlines Neil Sweeney : We think we have the best solution with our 6000-liter tank plane. Nevertheless, You can make six or seven drops per hour depending on the proximity of the water source.
A Canadair CL-415 waterproof waterplane. Nevertheless, (Archives photo)
Photo: Reuters / Yiorgos karahalis
These tankers can recover both fresh water. Similarly, salt water, as well as their use to fight against the lights of Los Angeles (new window) was able to show it. Nevertheless, They do not have to go back to the ground to refuel. Furthermore, which makes it possible to drop large volumes of water faster
adds the vice-president.
The countries of the world. Similarly, in particular in Europe see us as the backbone of their fleet.
Highly anticipated takeoff new canadair
A well -filled command book
After an intense season of forest fires in 2022. the European Union announced that it wanted to order 22 new Canadians. The conclusion of this contract in October 2024 made it possible to revive the manufacture of these devices with some improvements.
Its most recent manufacturer, Bombardier, had interrupted highly anticipated takeoff new canadair the construction in 2015, for lack of request.
Manitoba has already committed to ordering three new ones.
The company of Havilland has recovered the assembly templates of the former manufacturer of Canadair, Bombardier.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Tiphanie Roquette
The command book accumulates. but the first device is still at the stage of the imagination and the drawing board. highly anticipated takeoff new canadair On the mounting chain, the huge wing 30 meters long is still only a series of smoking, metal rods, under construction.
Relaunching the production of a device is still a challenge, underlines Neil Sweeney. The supply chains are under pressure.
A DH Canadair-515 requires around 50,000 different parts to manufacture and assemble.
The assembly work of an aircraft is not very automated.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Tiphanie Roquette
Unlike the automotive industry, the production chain is far from automated. Most of the pieces are attached by hand. The manufacture of the wing and the fuselage must also occur at the same rate.
Doubts about the schedule
If De Havilland praises his thoroughness. his desire for a well -made production, others are worried.
In early July, two French deputies published a report on the renewal of the air fleet (new window).
Special rapporteurs also emit doubts about the capacity of the manufacturer of Havilland of Canada to restart its production chain. to hold the delivery calendar of the two apparatus ordered, scheduled for 2028
they write.
They also cite the concerns of actors questioned.
There is therefore a real doubt within the aeronautical sector as to. the capacity of the Canadian manufacturer to respect the announced deadlines.
For the professor of supply. aviation at McGill University, in Montreal, John Gradek, part of the concerns cited comes from French competition, who wishes to break the Canadian monopoly in this area of tankers.
A small team is working in the afternoon on the Canadair mounting chain in Calgary. De Havilland wishes to strengthen it when a production pace is well established.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Tiphanie Roquette
However, it does not minimize the challenges to relaunch production by a new manufacturer. They say that. by 2028, the factory will be set up, that they will have the training supplemented by the necessary people, that the suppliers will be able to deliver the necessary products, that the supply chain will be well established to produce quality in time … It is complex.
John Gradek also wonders about the inadequacy of the manufacturer’s ambitions as to the high demand for the devices.
Ten aircraft highly anticipated takeoff new canadair per year. this is not an ultra-efficient, ultra-fast production line
he underlines, adding: Is it really a serious effort on the part of De Havilland Or is it still a test to see the reaction and reception of the device on the market?
Highly anticipated takeoff new canadair
Exponential growth
Neil Sweeney sweeps away. If we have more orders. we will speed up production
he said, adding that a new factory should be created outside Calgary in 2028.
De Havilland bought old models of water bombers to modernize the engines and the navigation system.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Tiphanie Roquette
To cope with demand, the company also bought old Canadair models it modernized. An eleventh underwent a rejuvenation cure.
These are incredible devices, and they will last decades
he said with enthusiasm.
Between orders for water bombers and other aeronautical models, Havilland actively recruits staff.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Tiphanie Roquette
The company also has the wind in the sails. The increase in the defense budget makes him glimpse an increase in the production of his other device models.
De Havilland has already proven that she could grow quickly. From 1,200 employees in 2021, it increased to Canada 2500 today. It plans to double this number in the next five years.
Further reading: Boycottage of the United States: why Canadians camp in positions – Elected officials want Canada to follow suit in France – New controls at the end of the United States surprise travelers – Sexual assault in Quebec: a man arrested after nine months of run – Olivier Primeau tests drummondvillea poutines.
