Boeing [NYSE: BA] has announced an agreement with Northstar Aerospace, Inc., to support the proposed HH-47 Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) helicopter program for the U.S. Air Force.
"Boeing is proud of its HH-47 proposal and supplier network," said Rick Lemaster, Boeing HH-47 program manager. "Northstar represents the solid support and quality our suppliers provide. Their proven performance reduces risk and contributes to our best value solution."
CSAR-X is a U.S. Air Force initiative to procure more capable and survivable aircraft able to recover isolated personnel from hostile or denied territory. The tandem rotor, heavy lift, high altitude HH-47 is based on the CH/MH-47 Chinook tandem rotor transport helicopter, with performance capabilities that have been widely demonstrated in the ongoing war on terrorism and in numerous U.S. and international humanitarian relief operations.
Headquartered in Chicago, Northstar Aerospace, Inc., manufactures 70 critical flight safety components for the CH-47 forward, aft, combiner and engine transmissions and the aft vertical shaft assembly. Northstar also provides repair and overhaul services for the forward, aft and combiner transmissions. Operations in Illinois, Indiana, Arizona and Ontario, Canada support the production of these complex components.
"The CSAR-X program provides Northstar Aerospace, Inc., an opportunity to continue producing critical components for the next decade for the best rotorcraft platform in the world," said Mark Emery, president and CEO of Northstar Aerospace.