2023 at IMP Aerospace & Defence

2023 was a year to remember at IMP Aerospace & Defence! We are grateful to our customers and partners for all their support in the past year. Our strength is our employees, and we couldn’t have reached these milestones without the dedicated work of the people across the organization, who work 24/7 to keep these life-saving fleets mission ready.

CMLU Contract Award

IMP Aerospace & Defence was awarded the principal Canadian subcontract for Leonardo’s Cormorant Mid-Life Upgrade project. IMP will upgrade 13 of the existing CH-149 Cormorants, and Leonardo will build an additional three aircraft to increase the fleet size to 16.

This project will upgrade the Canadian fleet of search and rescue helicopters to the newest standard, including digitally controlled engines with increased power, new glass cockpits, wireless in-cabin communications, and the latest technology available for SAR sensors.

This contract is acknowledgement of IMP’s long history with the CH-149 fleet. As the In-Service Support provider for over twenty years, IMP operates this 24/7/365 program out of three different bases across Canada and this project will also see the CH-149 re-introduced into a fourth Main Operating Base in Trenton.

Canada achieves a higher flying rate and carries out longer duration SAR missions to more remote locations than any other EH/AW101 operator. The CMLU program has the potential to create and sustain 650 jobs annually for both local industry and companies across Canada.

“This contract award acknowledges our unique experience with the CH-149 and our vital role in its sustainment both now and into the future. Our partnership with Canada and Leonardo ensures uninterrupted world-leading SAR availability during the CMLU program and the transition to the next-generation Cormorant fleet,” commented David Gossen, President of IMP Aerospace & Defence.

Portuguese Air Force Contract Award

IMP Aerospace & Defence signed a significant sub-contract with General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada (GDMS-C) to design and implement a Block I Avionics Update for the Portuguese Air Force (PRTAF) P-3C CUP+ fleet.

This contract will modify five aircraft with new capabilities, including Link-16 Communications, upgraded Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), and Data Management System (DMS).

IMP commenced the engineering design in late February 2023, and celebrated the first induction in October with visitors from GDMS-C and the PRTAF.

This contract highlights IMP as the world-leading and the only Lockheed Martin certified P-3 Service Center.  This contract furthers IMP’s relationship with GDMS-C to provide support to P-3 fleets worldwide.

IMP Academy Announcement

IMP Aerospace & Defence was thrilled to announce IMP Academy in June. This program will be delivered by both IMP Aerospace in Enfield, NS, and Cascade Aerospace in Abbotsford, BC, and will start in February 2024. IMP Academy will offer a tuition-free, four-year “earn as you learn” apprenticeship program for those aspiring to achieve a career as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician.

With a mix of classroom learning and hands-on training, IMP Academy apprentices will complete Transport Canada accepted basic training and paid on-the-job training that will work towards completing the logbook hours required for Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) licensing throughout the 4 Levels of trades training.

IMP looks forward to welcoming the first class in 2024.

First Flight of CT-114 Tutor Avionics Upgrade Prototype

IMP Aerospace in Trenton, Ontario, celebrated the first flight of the CT-114 Tutor Avionics Upgrade prototype aircraft in February. Designed by L3Harris and implemented by IMP Aerospace, the Avionics Update expands the Tutor’s existing capabilities while adding extra safety features.

IMP is scheduled to upgrade a total of 20 CT-114 Tutors for the Snowbirds Air Demonstration Squadron.

Kenneth C. Rowe Lifetime Achievement Award

Kenneth C. Rowe, founder of IMP Group, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) in November. This honour is given to someone who has significantly contributed to the Canadian aerospace sector for over 25 years and has received wide recognition for advocating on behalf of the wider aerospace industry.

Kenneth C. Rowe founded IMP Group in 1967 and remains active among the leadership of the company including being Chairman of the Board of Directors.  The company has grown from 150 employees in 1970 to over 4,000 among the different divisions.

Mr. Rowe has also received other recognitions for his contributions to Canadian industry, including the prestigious Order of Canada. He was made an Honorary Colonel by the Canadian Defence Department and received the Atlantic Region’s Outstanding Individual Philanthropist award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2004, among many other honours including being inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame.

Business Development Distinction Award from ACADA

With all these exciting achievements, IMP Aerospace & Defence won the Business Development Distinction Award from ACADA. This honour is given annually to an Atlantic Canadian company that has shown excellence in the area of business development and has received a major contract award within the last twelve months.  The award was received in November 2023 by Clark Bain, SVP Strategic Development for IMP Aerospace & Defence.

Deliveries

            IMP Aerospace & Defence kept customers mission ready in 2023. With a total of 50 aircraft delivered this year, IMP delivered:

• 25 C-130 aircraft, including 14 C-130J Block 7/8.1 upgrades.
• 8 CT-114 aircraft (5 periodic, 2 AVSUG modifications, 1 aircraft repainting)
• 3 CP-140 aircraft, including two for Block IV upgrades.
• 14 CH-149 aircraft.