MD Helicopters (MDHI) continues its return from the brink with a series of agreements to re-establish and restructure its supply chain. Most significantly, fuselages for MD 500/600-series light turbine singles are to be produced in Monterrey, Mexico by Global Automotive Systems (GAS), a company controlled by MDHI’s new owner, New York investment firm Patriarch Partners.
The fuselages were previously produced by Kaman Aerospace, which has agreed to restart production of rotor systems for MDHI’s MD Explorer light twin. GAS will begin production in the second quarter, completing the first fuselage in the fourth quarter.
To support MDHI, Patriarch has also acquired a controlling interest in Grand Prairie, Texas-based helicopter completion and modification specialist Heritage Aviation.
MDHI, meanwhile, has announced long-term supplier agreements with Pratt & Whitney Canada, for the PW207E engine powering the MD Explorer, and Rolls-Royce, for the Model 250 powering the turbine singles.
Deals have also been struck with the Triumph Group to supply transmissions for the MD 500/600-series and components for both single- and twin-engined helicopters, and with Kamatics to provide driveshaft bearings for the helicopters.
Source: Flight International
