Applied Aerospace Selected by De Havilland Canada to Manufacture Critical Flight Components for New De Havilland Canadiar-515 Firefighting Aircraft

STOCKTON, Calif., June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Applied Aerospace, a proven manufacturer of solutions for commercial and military aircraft, spacecraft, and ground-based systems, has been awarded a contract to manufacture critical elements of De Havilland Canada's latest generation firefighting aircraft, the De Havilland Canadair 515 (DHC-515). Applied Aerospace will produce all the critical flight control surfaces including the Ailerons, Flaps, and Elevators.

The DHC-515 is a purpose-built, twin-engine firefighting aircraft with unique amphibious capabilities. It can skim the surface of a body of water, fill its tanks in just 12 seconds, and return to the air to deliver over 6,000 liters of water with precision to combat wildfires. Building on a service legacy of over 50 years from its predecessors—the CL-415 and CL-215—the airborne firefighter features an improved design, enhanced corrosion protection, and upgraded avionics.

Applied Aerospace has built fuselage and wing structures, control surfaces, radomes, pylons, and critical sub-systems for over 45 military and commercial aircraft during its 70+ year history. The company combines expertise in metal, composite, and polymer engineering with substantial manufacturing facilities including a 25-acre ten-building main campus located in Stockton, California where this work will be performed.

"We are thrilled to be selected by De Havilland Canada as a key partner for the DHC-515, and we look forward to working with DHC to make the new and improved DHC-515 successful," said Applied Aerospace CEO Kevin Bidlack. "With wildfire seasons becoming longer and more intense each year, updated airborne firefighting platforms like the DHC-515 are essential.  At Applied Aerospace we are proud to contribute to such an important mission."

"De Havilland Canada is proud to enter into an agreement with Applied Aerospace on the DHC-515 program," said Janet Wardle, Senior Vice-President of Supply Chain and Engineering for De Havilland Canada. "Their deep manufacturing expertise and long-standing commitment to quality make them an ideal collaborator for this next-generation firefighting aircraft. The DHC-515 is a critical platform in global efforts to combat increasingly severe wildfire seasons, and we are confident that Applied Aerospace's contributions will help us deliver a highly capable, reliable, and mission-ready aircraft."

About Applied Aerospace

Aerospace systems demand precision engineering, expert manufacturing, and unrelenting quality assurance. Government and commercial clients alike depend on Applied Aerospace solutions to perform at the velocities, forces, and temperatures of hypersonic and orbital flight. Applied Aerospace leverages an undeniable 70-year heritage in air, land, sea, and space applications. By combining advanced engineering with proven techniques in composite and metallic manufacturing and assembly, Applied Aerospace builds fuselage and wing structures, actuated control surfaces, radomes, antennas, and other complex solutions used in aviation, unmanned systems, missiles, launch vehicles, and spacecraft. Applied Aerospace is a portfolio company of Greenbriar Equity.  For more information visit www.appliedaero.space

About De Havilland of Canada Limited

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (De Havilland Canada) is a cornerstone of Canadian aerospace innovation, proudly designing, building, and supporting aircraft in Canada for the global market. Every aircraft we produce creates high-value jobs, strengthens our national aerospace industry, and contributes to a resilient and growing economy.

Built in Canada. Made for the world.

With a fleet of more than 5,000 aircraft delivered to operators worldwide, De Havilland Canada has earned a global reputation for rugged, reliable performance and exceptional customer support. Our aircraft connect people and places—from the most remote communities to the busiest regional hubs—carrying millions of passengers and critical cargo every year.

Built to operate in the toughest environments, De Havilland aircraft are trusted for a wide range of missions, including aerial firefighting, search and rescue, medical evacuation, surveillance, and more. Our near-century-long legacy is driven by a passionate Canadian workforce dedicated to shaping the future of regional and missionized aviation. Discover more at: www.dehavilland.com

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SOURCE Applied Aerospace