AFI KLM E&M Inaugurates AWACS Site At Roissy

Awacs à Roissy photo AFI KLM EM

07/04/2014 - AFI KLM E&M

Based until now at Le Bourget, AFI KLM E&M's Military Product team is moving to CDG as part of a plan to optimize and modernize the MRO's industrial base.

For the first time, one of the French Air Force's four AWACS aircraft, whose MRO support is entrusted to AFI KLM E&M, has arrived at Hangar H4 at CDG for a major overhaul scheduled to last several weeks. This is a major first, as military activities and French Air Force AWACS aircraft have until now been handled at Le Bourget ? another AFI KLM E&M facility to the North of Paris.

Leading-edge technology at H4 
The relocation is designed to ensure increased responsiveness for the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) as well as the French Defense Ministry's Aircraft Through Life Support Organization (SIMMAD) - two bodies in charge of AWACS modernization and maintenance operations on behalf of the French Air Force.
The inside of the hangar has been completely reconfigured in order to position all support functions (offices, back-office tasks, logistics, technical assistance and modification configuration) as close as possible to the aircraft. For increased security and performance, all operations are conducted in H4. AFI KLM E&M is also in charge of a dedicated AWACS Information System (IS) to concurrently inform both maintenance activity and the customer. The IS was successfully migrated from Le Bourget to CDG.

Heightening security 
AWACs maintenance provided by AFI KLM E&M is subject to a high level of both French and Nato classification. As a result, the investment needed to make Hangar H4 compliant with these security requirements was substantial.

Investing in the future
Executive Vice President Air France Industries Anne Brachet said: "The investment we have ploughed into new infrastructure for this fleet at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle clearly demonstrates our intention to satisfy the expectations of the French Defense Ministry and to be worthy of the trust it has placed in us."
This state-of-the-art maintenance infrastructure delivers improved service quality and is part of a much wider program. The grouping and modernization of operations north of Paris at CDG is part of the Transform 2015 adaptation and development Plan which aims to step up AFI KLM E&M's operational performance and economic effectiveness.
Based on these strong new assets, the Group intends to fully demonstrate its added-value for AWACS aircraft in particular, and for military fleets in general.