Advertisement 1

Latest update on defence contracts and aerospace deals

Article content

I have this latest update on new contracts and appointments in the aerospace and defence industry in this latest issue of Esprit de Corps magazine. Here is some of that:

L3 Technologies said it has established International Boards dedicated to supporting and growing L3’s military and commercial business in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. These organizations will oversee the development of and promote strategic initiatives in their respective regions that advance L3’s competitive position and growth opportunities in the global marketplace, the firm noted.

Advertisement 2
Story continues below
Article content

L3 Technologies Canada Group Inc. will be led by its new Chair, Richard Foster, and will focus on expanding L3’s customer base across a diverse product line, which includes innovative EO/IR equipment and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul and in-service support for the Royal Canadian Air Force, as well as integrating communication and platform management systems for a broad range of naval vessels. Additionally, L3 is a key supplier in support of the Canadian Surface Combatant initiative.

Article content

The Royal Navy has successfully conducted the final First of Class firing trials of the new Sea Ceptor air defence system – completing the qualification firings of this new capability for the Royal Navy, according to the firm MBDA. Following on from the first round of trials this summer, the second set of trials from HMS Argyll saw the system tested against more complex scenarios, including rapidly engaging multiple simultaneous threats.

With HMS Argyll having completed development testing of Sea Ceptor, the weapon system is now being rolled out to the Royal Navy’s other Type 23 Frigates.

Article content
Advertisement 3
Story continues below
Article content

Leonardo DRS, Inc. announced that its Canadian subsidiary, DRS Technologies Canada, Ltd., has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy to provide four additional Integrated Voice Communications Systems (IVCS) for their Aegis cruisers and destroyers. The award is part of the U.S. Navy’s larger IVCS contract.

The IVCS, also known as the Shipboard Integrated Communications System, or SHINCOM, is the latest generation shipboard communications switch technology which provides red/black secure tactical communications for navy operators, according to Leonardo. The computer-controlled telephone system connects to a ship’s announcing system, shore telephone lines, radio communications and certain battle sound-powered telephone circuits. It also has programmable features ranging from assigning priorities to calls to recording communications in a manner compliant with marine safety standards.

MDA, a business unit of Maxar Technologies (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.), announced that it signed a contract valued at approximately $15 million with the NATO Communications and Information Agency. MDA will build a new system to support NATO’s maritime command and control operations under Project TRITON based on a modern software architecture and technology, according to the firm. This capability will be provided on both fixed and deployable systems. MDA will also provide NATO with a stand-alone command and control visualization capability which is planned to become the standardized map and object visualization for all NATO information technology systems, the company added.

Advertisement 4
Story continues below
Article content

In other news, Maxar Technologies announced the appointment of Mike Greenley to serve as Group President of MDA. Reporting to the CEO of Maxar, Greenley assumes responsibility for taking MDA to the next level of growth and profitability, according to the company. His responsibilities will include all of the MDA lines of business and its 1,900 employees. Primary locations include Surveillance and Intelligence in Richmond, British Columbia, Ottawa, Ontario, Halifax, Nova Scotia; Robotics and Automation in Brampton, Ontario; and Satellite Subsystems, in Montreal, Quebec. The appointment is effective from January 15, 2018.

Article content
Latest National Stories
    This Week in Flyers