L3Harris Technologies has returned to Dubai to promote its “custom” paint services business, as part a wider MRO offering from the US company.
Its arrival comes after a successful year for L3Harris in this niche field, having completed three widebody contracts, including a Boeing 787-8 at its recently enhanced facility in Waco, Texas.
“L3Harris is uniquely positioned to offer world-class paint services as part of our maintenance, repair and overhaul solutions,” says Jon Piatt, vice-president and general manager.
He adds that the team can “seamlessly transition from austere military paint specifications to exquisite custom paint finishes to meet a wide variety of mission needs”.
L3Harris’s aircraft paint completions are performed in a 6,500sq m (70,000sq ft) climate-controlled hangar, capable of accommodating some of the largest military and civilian aircraft, including the Boeing 747-8 and Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, the company says.
The paint facility recently received a multimillion-dollar upgrade to replace its analogue heating, ventilation and air conditioning system with the latest digital technology for temperature and humidity control, allowing the company to produce custom paint jobs on a variety of aircraft. "The work is supplemented by multiple on-site component paint booths," says the company.
L3Harris’s facility offers paint services for its customers as part of a broader suite of solutions, which it calls M3 – missionisation, modernisation and MRO.
The company has outfitted more than 50 VVIP and head-of-state aircraft to date, and has adapted a host of models for various missions. Projects include modifying a Boeing 747-400 for Virgin Orbit for use as an airborne satellite launch service and converting a 747SP for NASA’s SOFIA airborne observatory.
