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  July 19, 2019 | Local, Naval

  Feds award over $1 billion in contracts to shipyards to repair aging frigates

  By Marco Vigliotti *The headline has been updated to clarify that a contract has not yet been awarded to Irving Shipbuilding. Shipyards in Quebec and B.C. have won contracts collectively worth $1 billion to repair aging warships, with another contract for a Nova Scotia facility to be completed shortly, the federal government announced today. It's part of the government's promised $7.5 billion investment in maintaining 12 Halifax-class frigates for the Royal Canadian Navy until they are retired in the early 2040s. The five-year, $500-million contracts for Quebec's Chantier Davie and Seaspan Victoria Shipyards Limited were officially announced during concurrent ceremonies at the facilities, both of which featured ministers from the area. Public Services and Procurement Minister Carla Qualthrough, who represents a Vancouver-area riding, made the announcement at Seaspan's facility in Victoria (the Liberals hold no seats in the region). Families, Children and Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos made the announcement at Davie's plant in Lévis, Que. He represents a riding across the St. Lawrence River in Quebec City. “This vital, long-term work demonstrates the government's continued commitment to supporting the women and men of the Royal Canadian Navy by providing them with the equipment they need to protect Canadian interests at home and abroad,” Qualthrough said in a statement. A similar deal with Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax is also in the works, according to Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC). The contracts guarantee at least three frigates to repair for each facility, with work expected to begin in 2020. In a statement, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said the shipbuilding announcement was nothing but “cynical electioneering.” “There are less than 100 days to the next election, and the Trudeau government is once again campaigning on the taxpayers' dime, trying to buy people's votes with their own money,” reads his statement. “While it is good to see shipbuilding work go to Davie, today's announcement is nothing but cynical electioneering from a government that will do anything and say anything to cling to power.” https://ipolitics.ca/2019/07/16/feds-award-over-1-billion-in-contracts-to-three-shipyards-to-repair-aging-frigates/

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  February 1, 2021 | Local, Aerospace, Security

  Fire Rescue Victoria sets up new drone unit

  By Justin Hendry v Drones give firies new imaging capabilities. Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) has set up a new drone unit to help firefighters better monitor fires and other emergencies from the air. The new aviation unit, which will initially consist of a squadron of four drones, became operational last month. Staffed by four Civil Aviation Safety Authority-qualified drone pilots and other specialists, the unit will support FRV across the state from its base in Melbourne suburb of Burnley. It builds on FRV's existing remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) unit, which consists of drones from the former Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) and Country Fire Authority (CFA). MFB – which was the first fire and rescue services in Australia to develop a RPAS capability in 2011 – had at least nine drones before the merger with the CFA last year. However, unlike the previous drones, the new squadron will be able to stay in the air for up to 30 minutes and can withstand difficult wind conditions. They will also be able to carry both thermal and optical cameras at the same time, whereas the existing RPAS fleet can only carry a single camera. Having both thermal imaging and live streaming cameras will allow the drones to capture better quality footage to support firefighting efforts, the government said. “The technology means firefighters can better monitor fires and other incidents from the air, and get a fuller picture of complex fires, ultimately increasing community safety and contributing to saving lives,” it said. Since the unit became operational, the drones have already been used to support the FRV response to a recent industrial fire in the Melbourne suburb of Laverton North. Police and emergency services minister Lisa Neville said the unit and four new drones will “significantly add to [FRV's] firefighting arsenal”. “Thanks to this highly specialist aviation unit and these new highly specialised drones, our emergency services will have greater access to critical information and intelligence to efficiently contain fires, respond to emergencies and save lives,” she said. https://www.itnews.com.au/news/fire-rescue-victoria-sets-up-new-drone-unit-560393

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  June 10, 2020 | Local, Land

  Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin join forces in bid to win Canadian Army Land Vehicle Crew Training System program

  June 5, 2020 - Army's Land Vehicle Crew Training System (LVCTS) project. Rheinmetall Canada will take the lead in a partnership that includes Lockheed Martin Canada, Rheinmetall Electronics of Bremen, Germany, and Lockheed Martin Training and Logistics Solutions in Orlando, Florida. In cooperation with its partners, Rheinmetall Canada will offer the Canadian Army a solution for the LVCTS project that is mature, modular, and cost effective, while ensuring high-value economic benefits to Canada. The LVCTS solution will enable the Canadian Army to conduct progressive training at the individual, crew, platoon, and higher echelon levels using high- to medium-fidelity reconfigurable trainers, as well as standard trainee workstations combined with a robust virtual environment and a comprehensive instructional system. The software will be common to all levels of training and designed to generate increasingly challenging situations, including the ability to realistically simulate various terrain types, weather conditions, capabilities, and tactics. The instructional system will score crews to a doctrinal standard at all levels of complexity. Individual Crew Training Systems (CTSs) will be linked through the Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) protocol and High-Level Architecture (HLA) gateways to provide section, platoon, or higher echelon training. The system will also include a learning management system that allows for customization of training scenarios, monitoring of trainee progress, and after-action review. As Pietro Mazzei, Vice-president, Rheinmetall Canada, notes, “This partnership combines two of the world's leading providers of military training solutions in order to supply the Canadian Army with the most advanced modular system. Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin have strong global track records when it comes to supplying and supporting leading-edge systems for precision gunnery and crew task training. We look forward to bringing this expertise to the Canadian Army.” “Lockheed Martin Canada is proud to partner with Rheinmetall on an LVCTS solution for the Canadian Army”, says Lorraine Ben, Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin Canada. “Building on 80 years of support to the Canadian Armed Forces, we look forward to leveraging our team's skills and experience, including in world-class simulation and training systems. This partnership connects industry-leading technology with Canadian expertise for a critical land training capability in Canada for decades to come.” Lockheed Martin Training and Logistics Solutions is a leading provider of Army training solutions worldwide including the world's two largest virtual collective training systems—the U.S. Army's Close Combat Tactical Trainer (CCTT) and the UK Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (UK CATT). About Rheinmetall Canada Rheinmetall Canada is the Canadian arm of Germany's Rheinmetall Group, Europe's largest supplier of systems and equipment for armed forces and security services. With employees at locations in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu in Québec and Ottawa in Ontario, Rheinmetall Canada has accumulated over three decades of expertise in system integration, real-time command and control software development, and communication solutions. Serving as prime contractor, Rheinmetall Canada has also managed several major Canadian Army programs such as the Leopard 2 repair and overhaul, medium range radar, integrated soldier system, and satellite communications on the move. About Lockheed Martin Canada Headquartered in Ottawa, Lockheed Martin Canada is the Canadian unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation, a global security and aerospace company that employs some 110 000 people worldwide. Lockheed Martin Canada has been Canada's trusted defence partner for 80 years, specializing in the development, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services. The company has around 1000 employees at major facilities in Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Calgary, and Victoria, working on a wide range of major programs spanning the aerospace, defence, and commercial sectors. About Rheinmetall Electronics Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH supplies mission systems and simulation solutions to military, governmental, and commercial customers. Its simulation and training solutions range from fundamental e-learning and basic part-task training all the way up to fully network-enabled training systems or complex training centres to ensure excellent performance of soldiers, airmen, and sailors in their future missions. Rheinmetall Electronics has delivered customized solutions to global customers including the Mechanized Training Centre in Thun, Switzerland, and the Leopard 2 Gunnery Skills Trainer and Driving Simulator in Canada and Indonesia. Its portfolio encompasses reconnaissance, fire control, soldier, and command systems, guided weapon platforms, as well as training, learning, and engineering applications for individuals, teams, and entire customer organizations. Customers in more than 40 countries rely on technology from Rheinmetall Electronics. RHEINMETALL AG Corporate Sector Defence Press and Information Oliver Hoffmann Rheinmetall Platz 1 40476 Düsseldorf Germany Phone: +49 211 473-4748 Fax: +49 211 473-4157 View source version on Rheinmetall : https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/en/rheinmetall_defence/public_relations/news/latest_news/index_24000.php