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Leonardo Australia has achieved AS9110 certification – a globally recognised quality management standard for the aerospace sector.
The business, based in Victoria, said the certification covers maintenance of civil and defence helicopters alongside customer support, materials services and supply of spare parts.
“To gain the certification, Leonardo Australia underwent a rigorous assessment of its quality management system against the AS9110 standard,” said the business.
“The certification enables the company to consistently achieve its quality objectives, simplify operational procedures, further enhance customer satisfaction and safety standards, as well as swiftly adapt to new business prospects.”
Leonardo’s Essendon Fields helicopters hangar and the Fishermans Bend facility support a fleet of more than 160 helicopters.
Giorgio Mantegazza, the firm’s managing director, said, “AS9110 certification is a critical component to the future of our helicopter services in our region, and demonstrates our commitment to our customers and to the industry by uncompromising on quality and safety”.
The news comes a year after Leonardo announced that its Essendon Fields service centre received Part 145 approval from CASA.
It also follows Australian Aviation reporting in October how the business won a $70 million contract to replace and upgrade the radio capability on Australia’s C-27J Spartan fleet.
Australia currently has 10 Spartans operated by No. 35 Squadron from RAAF Base Amberley, which now focuses on peacetime operations such as search and rescue and aeromedical operations.
Leonardo, the original manufacturer of the Spartan, was selected as the prime contractor, and the ‘Commonwealth Avionics Upgrade’ will begin in September 2023 at Amberley. The work is due to be completed in 2026.
Air Vice-Marshal Leon Phillips, head of aerospace systems division, said, “Upgrading the cryptographic radio function of the C-27J platform will ensure ongoing availability of secure communications, including interoperability with key strategic partners and intelligence networks, and increased overall safety for our Australian Defence Force personnel.”
