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June 1, 2023 | Local, Aerospace, C4ISR

Fast-track military space projects and have PM head new council for space priorities, industry group says

An umbrella group for high-tech firms and research groups also calls for a National Space Council, chaired by the prime minister.

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/fast-track-military-space-projects-and-have-pm-head-new-council-for-space-priorities-industry-group-says

On the same subject

  • 3 New Thematic Calls for Prototypes / 3 nouveaux appels thématiques pour les prototypes

    April 6, 2022 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    3 New Thematic Calls for Prototypes / 3 nouveaux appels thématiques pour les prototypes

    (le français suit) New Testing Stream funding opportunities! We're looking for innovative, pre-commercial prototypes that can help address Canada's priorities in the Arctic and the North, defence, and oceans fields. Through these three themes, we've launched 15 new funding opportunities for Canadian innovators. Do you have what it takes? You could receive a contract of up to $1.15M to get your innovation tested with the Government of Canada! Apply before April 22, 2022 at 2:00pm EST. Arctic and the North From climate resilience to emergency response, the Government of Canada is seeking innovative solutions to address priorities in the Canadian Arctic and North. Check out our list of opportunities and apply for funding if you're eligible. Defence The Government of Canada is looking for prototypes to explore innovating the country's defence capabilities by bolstering cybersecurity, enhancing soldier systems, and more. Check out our list of opportunities and apply for funding if you're eligible. Oceans Could your innovation make a difference for Canada's coasts and oceans? The Government of Canada is seeking prototypes to address coastal resilience, pollution remediation, and other ocean priorities. Check out our list of opportunities and apply for funding if you're eligible. Nouvelles possibilités de financement pour le volet " mise à l'essai " ! Nous sommes à la recherche de prototypes précommerciaux novateurs qui peuvent aider à répondre aux priorités du Canada dans les domaines de l'Arctique et du Nord, de la défense et des océans. Selon ces trois thèmes, nous avons lancé 15 nouvelles possibilités de financement pour les innovateurs canadiens. Avez-vous ce qu'il faut ? Vous pourriez recevoir un contrat d'une valeur maximale de 1,15 million de dollars pour mettre votre innovation à l'essai auprès du gouvernement du Canada ! Posez votre candidature avant le 22 avril 2022 à 14 h HNE. L'Arctique et le Nord De la résilience climatique aux interventions d'urgence, le gouvernement du Canada est à la recherche de solutions novatrices pour répondre aux priorités dans l'Arctique et le Nord canadiens. Consultez notre liste d'opportunités et faites une demande de financement si vous êtes admissible. Défense Le gouvernement du Canada est à la recherche de prototypes pour explorer l'innovation des capacités de défense du pays en renforçant la cybersécurité, en améliorant les systèmes des soldats, et plus encore. Consultez notre liste d'opportunités et faites une demande de financement si vous êtes admissible. Océans Votre innovation peut-elle faire une différence pour les côtes et les océans du Canada ? Le gouvernement du Canada est à la recherche de prototypes pour aborder la résilience côtière, l'assainissement de la pollution et d'autres priorités relatives aux océans. Consultez notre liste d'opportunités et faites une demande de financement si vous êtes admissible.

  • Boeing surprised Canada changed rules of jet competition to allow Lockheed Martin bid

    May 31, 2019 | Local, Aerospace

    Boeing surprised Canada changed rules of jet competition to allow Lockheed Martin bid

    David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) - Boeing Co is surprised Canada softened the rules of a competition for new fighters to allow Lockheed Martin Corp to submit a bid, but is still confident it has a chance, a top executive said on Wednesday. Following a U.S. complaint, Ottawa this month said it planned to drop a clause stipulating that bidders in the multibillion dollar race to supply 88 jets must offer a legally binding guarantee to give Canadian businesses 100% of the value of the deal in economic benefits. The original clause would have excluded Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter, the plane the Canadian air force wants. The contract is worth between C$15 billion and C$19 billion ($11.1 billion to $14.1 billion). “I was surprised by the recommended change ... why would you deviate from a policy that's been so successful to accommodate a competitor?” said Jim Barnes, the Boeing official in charge of trying to sell the company's F-18 Super Hornet jet to Canada. The change in the rules around economic benefits was the latest wrinkle in a decade-long troubled-plagued effort to replace Canada's CF-18 jets, some of which are 40 years old. The final list of requirements for the new fleet of jets is due to be issued in July. “Right now we feel like we can put a very compelling offer on the table even with this change,” Barnes told reporters on the margins of a defense and security conference in Ottawa. Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains - in overall charge of the benefits aspect of procurement - said in response to Barnes's comment that Ottawa would ensure the competition was fair. Compelling bidders to offer watertight guarantees of economic benefits contradicts rules of the consortium that developed the F-35, a group to which Canada belongs. Boeing is offering a binding commitment and Barnes said the firm would stress to Canadian officials the potential economic disadvantages of entertaining a non-binding bid. An official from Sweden's Saab AB, another contender, told reporters that Canadians could lose out by ignoring contenders that had made firm investment commitments. “I am concerned that the ability to respond to a non-binding environment may not necessarily give Canadians the best value at the end of the day,” said Patrick Palmer, head of sales and marketing for Saab Canada. Airbus SE, the fourth firm in the race, declined to comment. Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Susan Thomas https://www.reuters.com/article/us-canada-fighterjets/boeing-surprised-canada-changed-rules-of-jet-competition-to-allow-lockheed-martin-bid-idUSKCN1SZ2AA

  • Canadian Forces says submarines can operate until mid-2020s - but still no details on how fleet will be upgraded

    November 28, 2018 | Local, Naval

    Canadian Forces says submarines can operate until mid-2020s - but still no details on how fleet will be upgraded

    DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN The Victoria-class submarines were expected to reach the end of their operational lives starting in 2022, according to documents obtained under the Access to Information law. That could have been a major problem for the federal government as it is looking at planning a modernization program for the on-board systems on the class, starting in 2023 or 2024. If the subs were to reach the end of their operational lives starting a year earlier, how would that have worked? Defence Watch asked that question and has been informed that things have now changed. Department of National Defence spokesman Daniel Le Bouthillier said that the Victoria-class start to reach the end of their operational life in the mid-2020s. That later date was determined after DND officials did a more extensive examination of the submarine fleet life. But there are still no details on what needs to be done to extend the life of the subs, how much that will cost, or when that will be done. “The Victoria-class Modernization (VCM) Program is currently in the Options Analysis stage, where the preferred modernization option is being selected,” Le Bouthillier noted. “Details of specific capabilities and milestones will be determined as the program evolves.” Last year Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan praised the capability submarines provide Canada. “No other platform in the Canadian Armed Forces can do what a submarine can do,” Sajjan said. “No other platform has the stealth, the intelligence-gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance capability and the deterrence to potential adversaries that a sub does.” But the Liberals have rejected a Commons defence committee recommendation that the Victoria-class subs, bought used in 1998 from the United Kingdom, be replaced with submarines capable of under-ice capabilities. “The government has also committed to modernizing the four Victoria-class submarines to include weapons and sensor upgrades that will enhance the ability of the submarines to conduct Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and deliver necessary improvements of platform and combat systems to extend operational capability to the mid-2030's,” the government response to the committee noted. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/canadian-forces-says-submarines-can-operate-until-mid-2020s-it-is-still-determining-how-to-upgrade

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