Beaver Aerospace & Defense Inc., a Livonia, Mich.-based subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries (PSI), is now part of the supplier network tapped by the U.S. Air Force under its recently awarded Light Air Support (LAS) contract.
On Feb. 28, 2013, the U.S. Air Force announced the selection of Sierra Nevada Corp. to supply aircraft for use by the Afghanistan National Army Air Corps and other future customers Sierra Nevada Corp. is supplying 20 Embraer A-29 Super Tucano aircraft that will be built in Jacksonville, Fla., by U.S. workers and with parts supplied by U.S. companies. The aircraft will be used for conducting flight training, aerial reconnaissance and light air support operations, and is a key element of U.S. government partner-building efforts in Afghanistan and other partner nations.
Under terms of the contract, Beaver will supply three trim actuators (elevator, rudder and aileron) for the A-29 Super Tucano.
More than 88% of the Super Tucano is made from parts supplied by U.S. companies or countries that qualify under the Buy America Act. Beaver is among more than 100 U.S. suppliers in 20 states that will provide parts or services for the LAS program. At least 1,200 U.S. jobs will be supported through this contract. Aircraft training will be provided in Clovis, N.M.