Canada’s New Drone Can Better Surveil Its Challenging Arctic Environment

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  June 17, 2019 | Local, Aerospace

  Government of Canada announces support for new aerospace innovation ecosystem

  Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Ecosystem will conduct research, accelerate the commercialization of products and create highly skilled jobs OTTAWA, June 16, 2019 /CNW/ - Global companies invest in Canada's world-class aerospace and space industries because they are internationally recognized, export-oriented and innovation-driven. Behind these industries' successes are the talents of a highly skilled workforce and a commitment by the Government of Canada to continuously improve their competitiveness. In recognition of the need for strong collaboration to develop and build the technologies of the future, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced an investment of up to $49 million under the Strategic Innovation Fund—National Ecosystems in the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada. This initiative will bring together the best companies, resources and researchers in the aerospace sector to establish a national aerospace innovation ecosystem that will take on the technological challenges of the industry, accelerate the commercialization of new and improved products, and create more highly skilled jobs for Canadians. This announcement was made in the context of Minister Bains' visit to the 2019 International Paris Air Show, where he is leading a delegation of 420 representatives from more than 140 Canadian aerospace companies. A number of leading companies are in attendance at the Paris Air Show, including Airbus Canada Limited Partnership, Bell, Bombardier, CAE, CMC Esterline, Héroux-Devtek, IMP Aerospace, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Canada Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Safran Landing Systems and Viking Air. As part of his efforts to promote Canada as an investment destination for global companies, Minister Bains met with leaders from national and international aerospace and space companies, highlighting the Government's commitment to the aerospace and space industries through the Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class. Quote "Our government is collaborating with our world-class aerospace industries, including small and medium-sized companies, to strengthen Canada's enviable position as a world leader in aerospace and space innovation. With our best researchers and most innovative companies from across the country working together on the next breakthroughs in the field of aerospace, more Canadians will find good work developing and building the aerospace technologies of the future." – The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Quick facts The funding announced today for the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada comes from Stream 5 of the Strategic Innovation Fund. This stream looks to support large-scale initiatives that will create high-impact collaborations for the benefit of Canadians and Canadian innovation ecosystems. In 2018, the aerospace industry contributed over $25 billion in GDP and about 213,000 jobs to the Canadian economy. Canada ranks first in the world for the production of civilian flight simulators as well as turboprop and helicopter engines. Canada is the only country to be ranked in the top five in all civil flight simulator, engine and aircraft sub-segments. Canada's aerospace manufacturing firms use advanced technologies nearly 50% more and key emerging technologies two times more than the manufacturing average. On March 6, 2019, the Government of Canada released Exploration, Imagination, Innovation: A New Space Strategy for Canada, its national space strategy that recognizes the strategic value of space and space exploration for Canada. Canada is the first country to commit to the NASA-led Lunar Gateway and is making significant investments to develop low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications technology to connect Canadians wherever they live in Canada. https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/government-of-canada-announces-support-for-new-aerospace-innovation-ecosystem-843355708.html

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  November 25, 2019 | Local, Aerospace

  ATC returning to Mirabel in January

  Effective Jan. 30, 2020, air traffic controllers will once again be working at Montreal International (Mirabel) Airport (CYMX). Following the completion of a recent aeronautical study, Nav Canada has decided to reinstate air traffic control (ATC) services at the airport for 16 hours a day, from 1100 to 0300 Coordinated Universal Time (1000 to 0200 UTC during daylight savings time) using the current mandatory frequency 119.1 MHz. While the tower is in operation, the control zone and terminal control area will become Class C airspace. When ATC is closed, the Flight Service Station (FSS) will operate and the airspace will revert to Class E and transponder airspace. Nav Canada said ground control service during ATC operating hours and ground advisory service during FSS operating hours will be provided on VHF frequency 121.8 MHz. Mirabel saw over 69,000 movements in 2017 and exceeded 75,000 in 2018. https://www.skiesmag.com/news/atc-returning-to-mirabel-in-january/

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  July 14, 2020 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

  Annex B: Overview of long-term funding commitment to Canadian Armed Forces capabilities

  To ensure that the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces have the capabilities required for Canada to be Strong at home, Secure in North America and Engaged in the world, this policy commits to significant long-term investment. This includes $33.8 billion for 52 critical new capital projects. In addition, the policy provides $74.2 billion for existing assets and previously planned equipment, infrastructure and information technology projects. As part of Strong, Secure, Engaged, these projects underwent a thorough costing review, which resulted in the provision of an additional $5.9 billion over 20 years on top of what had previously been budgeted for these projects, to better reflect their true costs. In total, this new vision for defence provides $108 billion for the development and acquisition of capital equipment over the next 20 years. All of these projects have been costed and the costing methodologies used were independently verified by five external accounting firms. Throughout the process, Defence also worked with costing experts from Deloitte who brought expertise gained from its involvement in recent defence reviews of close Canadian allies. This rigorous and unprecedented process ensures that the vision laid out in this policy is credible and realistic. Table 1 reflects the planned use of the accrual budget over the 20-year horizon of this policy. It is important to note that this table does not represent the total cost of all planned equipment acquisitions. For example, the first new Canadian Surface Combatant is not scheduled to be delivered until 2026, followed by the remaining 14 ships. As these ships have an expected service life of 30 years, much of the accrual costs will be incurred outside the 20 years reflected in the table. Furthermore, as these are 20-year estimates, there needs to be flexibility to adjust the accrual budget to reflect changes in major capital projects. The process to adjust or re-profile these estimates over time is through the investment planning process. Defence will publish the next Defence Investment Plan in 2018. The Defence Investment Plan will include all approved capital projects under the policy and will be updated every three years. This will help ensure that Parliament and Canadians can clearly understand future changes to the budget, and deliver on the Government's commitment to transparency, results, and accountability. Table 1: 20-year accrual and cash view of planned projects and new investments ($ billions) 20-year - Accrual basis 20-Year - Cash basis Capability Investments to fully fund and complete planned projects table 1 note1 New investment Strong, Secure, Engaged table 1 note2 Total planned projects and new investments Total planned projects and new investments Royal Canadian Navy 14.6 2.9 17.5 53.5 Canadian Army 10.1 8.8 18.9 23.2 Royal Canadian Air Force 26.4 20.1 46.4 64.4 Special Operations Forces 1.2 0.4 1.5 1.2 Joint/Emerging Domains 3.4 1.2 4.6 9.7 Infrastructure 4.5 0.4 4.9 12.0 Total Capabilities 60.1 33.8 93.9 164.0 Accrual Expenditure for Existing Equipment and Infrastructure table 1 note3 14.1 - 14.1 - 20 Year Total table 1 note4 74.2 33.8 108.0 164.0 Table 1 Note 1 Strong, Secure, Engaged commits $74.2 billion over 20 years to fully fund 281 projects that were planned, but for which Defence had insufficient funding to acquire. Adequate funding has now been allocated to deliver these core equipment projects. Return to table 1 note1referrer Table 1 Note 2 Strong, Secure, Engaged commits $33.8 billion over the next 20 years to 52 new equipment, infrastructure, and information technology projects for the Canadian Armed Forces. Return to table 1 note2referrer Table 1 Note 3 This amount ($14.1 billion), on an accrual basis, represents previously acquired equipment and infrastructure. As they are already in service, there is no future cash requirement to purchase these assets. Return to table 1 note3referrer Table 1 Note 4 Totals may not add up due to rounding. Return to table 1 note4referrer Below is an overview of capital funding commitments in Strong, Secure, Engaged, described in terms of investments in the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, Special Operations Forces, Joint Capabilities and Infrastructure. Investment in the Royal Canadian Navy The Government will provide $17.5 billion to fund equipment projects for the Royal Canadian Navy over the next 20 years. This includes: $2.9 billion over the next 20 years for two new equipment investments in the Royal Canadian Navy to replace obsolete components of current systems and improve the Royal Canadian Navy's ability to meet evolving underwater threats. $14.6 billion over the next 20 years to fully fund planned equipment projects. For example, this policy includes sufficient funding to acquire the full complement of 15 Canadian Surface Combatants. It is important to note that Table 1 only captures a 20-year view of the equipment investments committed to in this policy. As the first ship is not scheduled to be delivered until 2026 and the fleet is expected to be in service for 30 years, there will be significant expenditures outside this timeframe. Investment in the Canadian Army The Government will provide $18.9 billion for Canadian Army equipment projects over the next 20 years. This includes: $8.8 billion over the next 20 years for 20 new equipment projects. As examples, this investment will replace existing light and heavy trucks for use in domestic and expeditionary operations. We will also improve the Canadian Army's ability to operate in Canada's North with a new family of Arctic-capable land vehicles, as well as close critical capability gaps such as the Canadian Army's lack of ground-based air defence equipment, which will allow it to defeat threats posed by airborne weapons such as remotely piloted vehicles and aircraft used by potential adversaries. $10.1 billion over the next 20 years to fully fund planned equipment projects. For example, the upgrade of the Light Armoured Vehicle fleet will improve mobility and survivability. Investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force The Government will provide $46.4 billion to fund equipment projects for the Royal Canadian Air Force over the next 20 years. This includes: $20.1 billion over the next 20 years for 17 new equipment projects for the Royal Canadian Air Force. For example, this will deliver a Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft to replace the CP-140 Aurora Long Range Patrol Aircraft, allowing us to maintain our technological advantage over potential adversaries. Under the Royal Canadian Air Force's responsibility for space capabilities, portions of new investment will expand the Canadian Armed Forces' ability to use space-based assets in support of operations. This includes projects for enhanced communications in the North. $26.4 billion to fully fund planned equipment projects. The new fighter program has been enhanced to ensure the Royal Canadian Air Force can acquire 88 new advanced fighters, which will allow us to deliver on NORAD and NATO commitments without compromise. Investment in Special Operations Forces The Government will provide $1.5 billion to fund equipment projects for Canada's Special Operations Forces over the next 20 years. This includes: $366 million over the next 20 years for four new projects. For example, integrated soldier system equipment will be modernized to enhance interoperability and maintain technological advantage against potential adversaries. $1.2 billion over the next 20 years to fully fund planned equipment projects. As an example, we will acquire an airborne intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance platform that will enhance the ability of our Special Operations Forces to improve their understanding of the operational environment. Investment in joint capabilities The Government will provide $4.6 billion for joint capability projects in domains such as cyber, intelligence as well as joint command and control over the next 20 years. This includes: $1.2 billion over the next 20 years for five new equipment projects and one information technology project. For example, the Combined Joint Intelligence Modernization project will provide a modern deployable intelligence centre for land-based operations, building on the lessons learned in recent operations. Additionally, the Secure Radio Modernization project will upgrade encryption capability of radios to maintain security and interoperability with our Five-Eyes partners. $3.4 billion over the next 20 years to fully fund planned equipment projects. For example, we will improve the capabilities of the Joint Deployable Headquarters and Signals Regiment. This will include the acquisition of portable structures to house the deployed headquarters and the equipment employed by its staff for command, control and communications. Investment in infrastructure The Government will provide $4.9 billion over the next 20 years to infrastructure projects across Canada in order to maintain the necessary portfolio of real property holdings. This includes: $446 million over the next 20 years for three new infrastructure projects. For example, this funding will enable the construction of new buildings to house the expanded and enhanced Canadian Armed Forces Joint Incident Response Unit. This will ensure that the unit is able to provide chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defence support to the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. $4.5 billion to fully fund planned projects over the next 20 years. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/reports-publications/canada-defence-policy/annex-b.html