Field Aviation Selected To Convert, Deliver Additional DASH 8 Q Series Aircraft as Japan Coast Guard Maritime Patrol/SAR Platforms

Field Aviation

Canadian Operations

Field Aviation designs, modifies and certifies aircraft for specialized roles across the globe. Our expertise is the missionization of commercial platforms for search and rescue, intelligence, surveillance and interdiction roles for both government and civilian customers.

We also develop system specific STCs for many different aircraft. Our capabilities include build-to-print parts manufacturing for aircraft OEMs and our own modifications. We are also a factory authorized repair, overhaul and sales center for many avionics equipment manufacturers.

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Field Aerospace

U.S. Operations

Field Aerospace has more than 25 years of experience developing and delivering systems engineering and systems integration solutions to the U.S. government and aerospace and defense industry.

Through Field Aviation, we also provide engineering expertise spanning aircraft operations and avionics, test planning and execution, test instrumentation design and configuration, electrical and system design, as well as structural design and modification.

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Field Aviation Selected To Convert, Deliver Additional DASH 8 Q Series Aircraft as Japan Coast Guard Maritime Patrol/SAR Platforms

Field Aviation Company of Toronto has been awarded a contract to convert two additional Bombardier de Havilland DASH 3-300 turboprop aircraft as Maritime Patrol/Search and Rescue platforms for the Japan Coast Guard. This follows an initial contract for three Japanese DASH 8-300s, signed in January 2007 and currently under completion.

Toronto, ON | Jan. 28, 2008

Sojitz Corporation of Japan is the prime contractor to the Japan Coast Guard for this project and will acquire the two Field-completed Q300 turboprops from Bombardier Aerospace. The aircraft will be modified by Field Aviation at its Toronto modification centre and will feature a missionized interior, large conformal observation windows and a unique, Field-developed and certified air-drop capability through the inflight-operable rear baggage door.

Surveillance sensors employing the latest technology will be installed, including a 360˚ surface search radar, a stabilized FLIR electro-optical multi-spectral imaging payload, as well as a new suite of modern mission navigation and satellite communications systems. The aircraft modifications, valued at $US13 million, will commence in January 2009, and both aircraft will be delivered by November 2009.

Japan's new aircraft will be operated as the next-generation fixed-wing turboprop for maritime patrol and search and rescue duty within Japan's area of maritime responsibility.

The Dash 8 was first modified for the Maritime Patrol role by Field in 1995, when three aircraft were delivered to Surveillance Australia, which provides airborne surveillance of the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under the country's COASTWATCH program. Two additional Dash 8 MPAs were delivered to Australia in 2000, and Field is currently modifying additional aircraft that saw the Surveillance Australia fleet grow to 10 Dash 8s by the end of 2007.

Other customers for Field's Dash 8 MPA/SAR Aircraft modifications include US Customs and Border Protection, where the first of a fleet of Series 200 MPAs entered service in 2005, and the Swedish Coast Guard, which received three Series 300 MSA/SAR aircraft in 2007.

Field Aviation is recognized worldwide for its conversions of heavy turboprop and turbofan aircraft for special missions. The company provides end-to-end solutions for parapublic, defense and specialized air support operators which require fast deployment of cost-efficient, reliable airborne platforms. Field celebrated its 60th year of operation in Canada in 2007.

For more information please contact Joar Gronlund - VP Business Development - FIELD AVIATION at +1-905-676-1540 or email busdev@fieldav.com. Contact: Chris Cooper-Slipper, Vice President Marketing +1 905 676 1540 #331.