Defence and industry leaders ‘break the ground’ at future JSF engine facility
TAE Aerospace today held an event to mark the start of construction on its new aerospace facility in Bundamba, Queensland. The facility is the future home of the region’s F135 Joint Strike Fighter engine maintenance program, as well as the company’s existing Defence and aerospace programs.
Leaders from Defence and industry were invited to help ‘break the ground’ at the new site, including the Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Steven Ciobo MP, Pratt & Whitney’s Vice President of Military Engines Sustainment Operations, Mr Kevin Kirkpatrick, and Australia’s Head Joint Strike Fighter, Air Vice-Marshal Leigh Gordon.
TAE Aerospace CEO Andrew Sanderson said that the event marked a significant milestone in the company’s military engine sustainment journey.
“It has been an exciting progression from our initial engineering support of the F-111 TF30 engine, to now preparing to provide full in-country support for the world’s most advanced and powerful jet fighter engine, the F135.
“The start of construction on this facility marks the start of the next chapter for us as Australia’s aerospace company,” he said.
The new, state-of-the-art facility will be built and occupied in several phases between now and 2020.
“In May next year we will start preparing for the arrival of the F135 engine, with training commencing in July 2019,” Mr Sanderson said.
“Then, from the start of 2020 we will move our existing business lines, including the F404 and F414 engines for the Hornet and Super Hornet and the AGT1500 engine for the Abrams’ tank, to Bundamba from our current headquarters in Amberley.
“We will also build a new advanced manufacturing facility to continue to supply parts and components to the global F-35 program,” he said.
TAE Aerospace has parts on the first Australian F-35s due to arrive next month and is one of only a few Australian companies selected to work across both sustainment and production.
Mr Sanderson said that the addition of the F135 engine MRO&U activities will add at least 15 aerospace technician jobs to its workforce immediately, with that number expected to increase as work grows for operators in Australia, South Korea and Japan, as well as the US Forces based in the region.
“Once we have relocated, there will be 150 people on site contributing to the Ipswich community with a further 80 staff to join them in the coming years as work increases.”
“For Australia to be chosen as Asia-Pacific’s hub of F135 engine maintenance work is a great outcome for our Defence industry and we’re proud to be the Australian company selected to carry out this work,” he said.
What a proud and significant day for the RAAF, Williamtown base, City of Newcastle, and Australia, with the arrival of the first two F35 Joint Strike Fighters. The only one person missing from the ceremony, was former prime minister John Howard, who’s Liberal Government made the final decision to to purchase this game changer, and keep Australia up to date with the modern world of avionics. It would also have been fitting if an F 111 had been able to be part of the welcoming committee. Congratulations, and thank you RAAF, thank you for a wonderful day, you made me a very proud and safer Australian today.