It was a time when the Department of Defense (DoD) had to hold back its plan of launching the next generation of H53E aircraft, H53K, due to many reasons. The situation mandated that the currently operating H53Es be reset to extend their life and bring back more of them from the boneyard (two of which had not flown in over 15 yrs.) The defense agency engaged Erickson Incorporated, and the results were game-changing. The aircraft’s hydraulic systems, wire bundles, and various structural parts were in limited supply, but that didn’t deter Erickson’s resolve to re-work the aircraft. The company had adequate resources and tools in house to fabricate those components based on the sample. Its highly specialized engineering team designed engineering repairs by working with their counterparts at DoD to have them thoroughly verified for performance and compliance. The team’s rich engineering expertise, design knowhow, and vertical-based manufacturing capabilities ensured that the project outcomes met the Navy and Marine Corps’ high-standards. Its in-depth understanding of military standards and specifications further enhanced project execution. The Oregon-based company, Erickson, refurbished aircraft to a like-new condition. The reset machines are now proving to have the highest readiness rates. This episode is one of the many success stories that Erickson has shaped over the years in its longstanding partnership with DoD.

“We are an aircraft OEM that has much of the same capabilities of the larger OEMs such as Lockheed and Boeing when it comes to defense manufacturing and MRO capabilities (maintenance, repair, and overhauling), yet with the agility of a small business,” says Kevin Cochie, Vice President and General Manager of Defense and National Security at Erickson.

We are an aircraft OEM that has much of the same capabilities of the larger OEMs such as Lockheed and Boeing, yet with the agility of a small business

While other defense MRO contractors follow touch labor approach, Erickson maintains an edge in the market with its superior manufacturing capabilities.

But the biggest differentiator for Erickson is that it owns and operates a fleet of twenty S64 aircranes primarily used in firefighting and heavy lifting. The S64 aircrane is a civilian variant of the CH54 aircrane that the US army flew for several decades. As the OEM of this aircraft, Erickson modernized S64 and attained a civilian certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Not to mention, its manufacturing and MRO background has enabled the company to operate its aircraft with high operational readiness that has remained unchallenged for decades in the aviation and defense industry.

Over the years, Erickson has mastered the art, business, and science of operating commercial airplanes and meeting the evolving needs of DoD by gaining more knowledge of the evolving military standards and FAA requirements. Erickson manages its commercial operations diligently, and it ensures the same due diligence is channeled into all the client interactions and project execution. They have the ability to transform a legacy cockpit into modern, digitally-driven system while taking the unique requirements of a particular project into account. Besides, it continues to invest in additive manufacturing to include 3D printing for faster and more efficient production of parts and tools.

“More than half of the workforce in our ‘Defense & National Security’ business unit comprises former DoD personnel, and that adds to our strength and capabilities,” acknowledges Cochie. “We inherently share a strong rapport with DoD at both business and personal levels, which shows in the final project outcomes.” Erickson will continue to invest in improving its productivity in the areas of DoD aircraft lifecycle management. The company aims to return the combat power to DoD by modernizing and enhancing the airworthiness of its legacy airplanes for many decades to come.