Oh Canada! Jet order may aid GE-Lynn

LYNN – Canada on Friday placed an order for 65 Joint Strike Fighters, the next-generation warplane that could prove a boon to GE in Lynn, presuming the company can wrangle a portion of the multi-billion-dollar contract.The combat aircraft, known as the F-35 Lightning II, is under construction by Lockheed Martin Corp., with GE rival Pratt & Whitney providing the jet engines.Despite a lack of support from President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, GE in partnership with Rolls Royce has moved ahead with plans to manufacture an alternative engine for the plane.The GE plan has received authorization from the U.S. House of Representatives but not the Senate. The President said an alternative engine is unnecessary.In the U.S., the Lightning is scheduled to replace the F-18 Super Hornet fighter plane, which is based primarily aboard aircraft carriers and powered by twin GE F414 engines.Canada’s $8.5 billion engine order ranks among the biggest military purchases in the country’s history, said Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay, who explained that the new jets would replace the Air Force’s aging CF-18s that have been flying for 30 years. Delivery of the first Lightnings are expected in 2016, he said.The Canadian purchase, which includes associated weapons and training simulators, could be worth up to $17 billion once the government signs a maintenance contract.GE spokesman Rick Kennedy said jobs at the company’s River Works aircraft plant in Lynn would be stabilized by a share of the Lightning engine contract, replacing those jobs lost as engine production for the F-18 fighter plane is phased out.GE builds several military aircraft engines, including the T700 for the Apache attack helicopter, and the Blackhawk, Seahawk and Jayhawk helicopters that are used by the Army, Navy and Coast Guard, respectively, for moving cargo and troops. The company also makes the GE38 engine that powers the military’s super-sized CH53 cargo helicopter.The Joint Strike Fighter is designed for use by the Air Force, Marines and Navy, each with its own version. It is he largest fighter aircraft program in history, with a total value expected to exceed $383 billion.About 3,000 Lightnings are slated for construction.”The Canadian order reinforces the value and significance of the Joint Strike Fighter program and the need for GE to continue its work on an alternative engine,” said Richard Gorham, a GE spokesman in Lynn. “The international reach for this aircraft continues to grow. Other partners have already placed orders or are strongly considering doing so.”