BY JOETEY ATTARIWALA

With five different operating divisions, IMP Group Ltd. supports customers in the Air, on Land, at Sea, and even in Space.

In the dynamic world of aerospace and defence, few companies can match the execellence and capabilities of Canada’s IMP Aersospace & Defence, a business unit of IMP Group Ltd. With a rich history spanning over five decades, IMP has established itself as a trusted partner for a wide range of aerospace and defence solutions, serving both domestic and international clients. The company’s focus is exemplifi ed by its mission statement: We exist to keep our partners mission ready.

Founded in 1967, IMP Aerospace & Defence has grown from a modest repair and overhaul facility to a multifaceted company whose clients include military, government and commercial operators. Headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, IMP Aerospace & Defence currently has over 2000 employees serving Canadian and Global enterprises.

As a full-service company, IMP Aerospace & Defence runs five operating divisions — IMP Aerospace, Cascade Aerospace, IMP Electronic Systems, IMP Aerostructures, and Canadian SAR Helicopter — all of which provide a diverse portfolio of products and services, including aircraft engineering, maintenance, modifications, integrated logistics support, and component manufacture, serving customers in the Space, Air, Land, and Sea domains.

A PARTNER TO THE RCAF

For over 50 years, IMP Aerospace & Defence has served as a strategic supplier and embedded partner with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Their Aerostructures Operating Unit in Amherst, Nova Scotia, operates on the very same property as one of the oldest RCAF World War II bases where over 400 Avro Anson multi-role aircraft were built and commissioned. This history is part of the fabric of the RCAF, which is celebrating its centenary this year.

Today, Cascade Aerospace provides In-Service Support (ISS) for the RCAF C-130H SAR aircraft. Similarly, Cascade, as contracted by Lockheed Martin Canada, also provides maintenance for Canada’s fl eet of C-130J Hercules aircraft. From a rotary wing perspective, IMP provided support to the RCAF’s CH-124 Sea King fleet for over 50 years until it was retired in 2018, and continues today to provide all aspects of support to Canada’s fleet of CH-149 Cormorant Search and Rescue helicopters. In addition, IMP’s decades of innovative work on the RCAF’s CP-140 Aurora fleet (a variant of the P-3 Orion) have established the company as the center of excellence for longrange patrol aircraft, and is an example of IMP’s broader multi-engine aircraft expertise.

The work described above is ever evolving as new technologies, capabilities, and programs emerge. Notably, IMP was made the principal Canadian subcontractor for Leonardo’s CH-149 Cormorant Mid-Life Upgrade (CMLU) project. With work primarily being done at IMP’s facilities in Halifax, this project will update Canada’s helicopters to the newest AW101-615 standard, including digitally controlled engines with more power, new glass cockpits, wireless in-cabin communications, and the latest technology available for SAR sensors.

“The CMLU program is in full swing — IMP Aerospace & Defence technicians and support staff are currently working with Leonardo right here in Halifax developing production and maintenance planning schedules and all other support requirements for the upcoming on-the-job training, which is expected to commence in Yeovil, UK, later next year,” said Rick Burt, VP Business Development, IMP Aerospace & Defence. “They will work with Leonardo in preparing the fi rst 3 of 16 AW101-615 version Cormorants because every aircraft from 4 onward will be assembled at IMP’s Halifax, Nova Scotia facilities.”

IMP Aerospace & Defence is also proud to be a part of the Boeing-led Team Poseidon, which will deliver the P-8A Poseidon to the RCAF for the Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft project. IMP is a key player in the team as it will conduct a post-production modification on each aircraft to prepare it for service before providing support to the fleet. IMP will follow the P-8 and its upcoming Canadian tour this year, which will include a visit to Greenwood, NS.

INTERNATIONAL GROWTH

In addition to its work for the Royal Canadian Air Force, IMP Aerospace & Defence has also been involved in several international projects as it builds on its reputation of supporting and maintaining aircraft, particularly the C-130, P-3 (CP-140) and AW101 platforms. In fact, IMP is one of only 3 Global Lockheed Martin approved service centers for the C-130J Hercules transport aircraft; and is the world’s only Lockheed Martin, P-3 Approved service center.

The company routinely provides maintenance and support services to the United States military, NATO, and other allied nations. For example, Cascade Aerospace recently completed structural and special inspections and other maintenance work for a Bangladesh Air Force C-130B aircraft. IMP support for their regular line maintenance of the Hercules. In fact, they just visited our Canadian operations in Abbotsford B.C. and said they are very pleased with our relationship. We also currently provide C-130 and P-3 fleet support in South America, Asia Pacific and several other Global regions.”

In a relatively new development, IMP Aerospace & Defence is excited to be under contract with NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency for Unscheduled Depot Level Maintenance opportunities for its C-130 Maintenance Support Service Capability.

The aforementioned are just a few of the international opportunities that IMP is working on and is why the company regularly attends international trade shows like the recent Sea-Air-Space, Singapore Airshow, and World Defense Show, to name a few.

IMP ACADEMY

IMP Aerospace & Defence recognized that the personnel shortages the entire aerospace industry faces have no quick fi x but can be resolved over time with a creative mindset and strategic thinking. This led IMP to develop the IMP Academy, a program aimed at those who are new to the aerospace industry and provides a starting point for anyone interested in the aerospace trade. The IMP Academy currently offers two programs: Introduction to Aerospace Skilled Trades and Aircraft Maintenance Apprenticeship Program. Both programs are available at IMP Aerospace in Enfi eld, Nova Scotia, and Cascade Aerospace in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

The IMP Academy combines classroom work and on-the-job training with experienced professionals — both programs are currently being offered with no tuition or textbook fees.

Students in the Introduction to Aerospace Skilled Trades program will attend a 4-week program that covers the three main trades in the aerospace industry: Mechanics, Avionics, and Structures. This program consists of approximately 120 hours of classroom training and 30 hours of practical handson training. Upon completion, program graduates may apply to complete the 4-year Aircraft Maintenance Apprenticeship Program, plus be hired into a role at IMP Aerospace & Defence for on-the-job training, which will allow participants to work towards completing logbook hours required for Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) licensing. Once the trades training has been completed, IMP Academy will continue working with apprentices to obtain their AME-M license issued by Transport Canada where possible.

“What the company has done is basically build a structured program to develop highly trained aerospace skilled trades,” said Burt. “To do this, we have specifi c learning spaces, appropriate training, computers, and a Transport Canada-accepted curriculum.”

“Our initial intake cadre has started in Halifax with 20 candidates who will do the 4-week induction program, and they will be followed by our fi rst IMP Academy intake in Abbotsford,” said Burt. “We’re also working closely with First Nations across the country to integrate with their education and development programs, so we are trying to create a good synergy where everyone benefits.”

GROWING CAPABILITIES IN SPACE

Founded in 1977, IMP Electronic Systems division provides the military and aerospace industries with the design, manufacture, repair, overhaul, and product improvement of avionics, electronic systems, and wire harness assemblies.

A key capability that distinguishes IMP is its ISO Class 7 clean room. This clean room enables IMP to manufacture space-critical components that must adhere to the most stringent requirements for operational success. This certifi cation enables IMP to secure contracts that feed into programs for the Canadian Space Agency, NASA, and others.

In 2007, Com Dev, now a Honeywell company, contracted the IMP Electronic Systems division to manufacture, design, and test a range of qualification, engineering test, and flight wiring harnesses. The project required IMP’s technical team to work closely with Com Dev to turn the grand vision of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) — a joint effort by NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, and the European Space Agency — into a reality.

For this project, a highly skilled team of engineers and technicians designed and manufactured wire harnesses for the Fine Guidance System for the JWST. The IMP Electronic Systems team was required to meet strict contamination control requirements in its Class 7 clean room that was outfi tted with additional control measures. Extremely low operating temperatures (-243 C) were required for this project to mimic the vacuum of space, so a special cryogenic test chamber was built to test the manufactured qualifi cation harnesses.

The JWST was successfully launched in December 2021. NASA said it would “study every phase in the history of our Universe.” So far, the results have been literally out of this world, with never-before-seen photos of our universe.

Since then, IMP’s Electronic Systems division has continued its cutting-edge work on deep space-focused projects. IMP Aerostructures has also provided customers with high-tolerance aluminum components, such as manufactured elbow joints for the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS) – also known as the Canadarm – for NASA Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) programs. More recently, IMP Aerospace & Defence, as a strategic subcontractor to MDA Space, has been tasked with building GERI harnesses for use at the space station.

“When it comes to our focus on space, it really has a lot to do with the skills, certifi cations and capabilities across our aerostructures and electronics divisions. We can complete all sorts of requirements, whether it’s building mechanical assemblies or supplying harnesses to support such projects as satellite radar constellations, so we have a lot of capabilities that we can bring to this domain,” Burt told CDR. “In fact, IMP Electronic Systems and our strategic Prime contractors continue to collaborate on areas of expertise in mechanical and electrical assembly and engineering services, so there are exciting times ahead.”

RENEWED FOCUS ON INNOVATION

One of IMP’s key strengths is its commitment to excellence in engineering and innovation. The company’s team of highly skilled engineers and technicians is renowned for its ability to deliver innovative solutions to complex aerospace and defence challenges. Whether designing a new aircraft modifi cation, developing cutting-edge avionics systems, or manufacturing highly specialized components for space, IMP’s engineering capabilities are second to none.

In addition to its engineering prowess, IMP Aerospace & Defence boasts state-of-the-art facilities that are equipped to handle a wide range of aircraft maintenance and modification tasks as well as manufacturing. From routine maintenance checks to major structural repairs, IMP’s facilities can meet the most demanding requirements of both military and commercial customers. In fact, the company was the first to be delegated authority from the Royal Canadian Air Force to design, certify, and manufacture 3D-printed thermoplastic parts for use on specific military aircraft.

The IMP Aerostructures division also continues to grow its business while enhancing its capabilities. Over recent years, the operation has complemented its extensive experience in sheet metal aircraft structural parts and assemblies with the addition of complex CNC Machining. The company acquired a large dual pallet CNC machine to support its large work statement for heavy gauge aluminum and drop hammer parts. The CNC Profiler will provide a superior product, supporting today’s Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing engineering requirements for the finished profile and hole drilling on a wide range of components.

As part of its strategic vision, IMP has established an Innovation Committee, which is actively exploring new opportunities for growth and diversifi cation. This effort started long before the release of Canada’s Defence Policy Update, “Our North, Strong and Free,” but it fi ts perfectly within that document’s vision of an innovative and effective defence industrial base. With its Innovation Committee, IMP is focusing on the rapid onboarding of new technologies, ensuring reliable supply and exploring where the company might go in terms of providing new lines of aerospace and defence-type services and products.

“The company is looking very creatively from an innovation side as we continue to invest in research and development. We are also exploring how we might diversify, and part of that growth is looking at strategic partnerships and acquisitions to enable and support both organic and inorganic growth,” said Burt. “The company has taken a very active position. We are not standing still; we are an evolving organization that thinks creatively and embraces innovation.”

There is no doubt that IMP Aerospace & Defence is a Canadian powerhouse with global reach. Its commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction has made it a trusted partner for aerospace and defence customers around the world. With its strong engineering capabilities, state-ofthe- art facilities, and strategic partnerships, IMP is well positioned to continue its success well into the future.