(L to R: Officer in Command Air Combat Electronic Attack System Program Office Group Captain Adam Spinks, GE Aviation Military Sales Director Matthew Rowe, U.S. Ambassador Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr., TAE Aerospace CEO Andrew Sanderson

The last week of November was one of celebration for us and our OEM partners, General Electric (GE). During the week, we hosted the United States Ambassador to Australia, Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr., at our Australian aerospace facility.  The Ambassador’s visit marked the success of our long-term relationship with GE in support of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), which has now led to work supporting the United States Navy. In the same week, we were named Sub-Contractor of the Year at the Australian Defence Industry Awards based on our support for GE over twelve years.

Our partnership with GE has delivered excellent outcomes for the RAAF and we are confident it will do the same for the U.S. Navy. The relationship commenced in 2008 with F404 engine maintenance for the F/A-18A/B Hornet. It then expanded to F414 engine support for the F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18 Growler fleets. While looking for ways to deliver more value to the RAAF, our team developed several cost-saving repair innovations.  For example, they found a way to restore full performance to certain engine components that would otherwise be thrown away when they failed. Such advances have reduced costs and improved engine availability for the RAAF. We are now applying the same repair principles to the U.S. Navy’s F414 Super Hornet engine components, enabling them to enjoy the same benefits.

Developing close long-term relationships with all of our OEM partners is of vital importance to us. For this reason, receiving an award for the quality of the support we offer OEMs and Primes is especially pleasing. In accepting the Sub-Contractor of the Year award, our CEO Andrew remarked on what a great time it is to be part of the Australian Defence Industry. This sentiment was echoed by Ambassador Culvahouse as the U.S. – Australia relationship strengthens and TAE’s place in the global Defence landscape continues to grow.