January 28, 2019 | Local, Aerospace
January 26 2019 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
As outlined in Canada's defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Government of Canada is making investments to re-capitalize and extend the life of equipment to ensure our women and men of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) have the equipment they need to fulfill the Canadian Armed Forces' (CAF) core missions.
In support of this, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism Andy Fillmore, on behalf of Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan, announced today that Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited will be undertaking design work to extend the life of Canada's fleet of 85 CH-146 Griffon helicopters to at least 2031.
The first phase of this life extension is the definition phase, during which Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited – the original equipment manufacturer – will develop design changes to upgrade the helicopter's avionics systems, engines, and cockpit displays, and integrate sensor systems.
This definition work, valued at up to $90 million (including taxes), will be performed under the existing support contract for the CH-146, which was awarded to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited in 2011. The overall scope of the Griffon Limited Life Extension project is estimated to be valued at approximately $800 million (taxes included).
The Griffon, Canada's multi-purpose utility helicopter, is essential to CAF operations both at home and abroad. The helicopter fills a number of functions, including tactical troop transport, reconnaissance, escort and surveillance, casualty evacuation, disaster relief, special operations aviation support, and search and rescue.
Upgrading the CH-146 will ensure that it continues to make important contributions to the success of the full range of the CAF's missions and operations.
“Through our defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, we are providing the women and men of our Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment they need to do the important work we ask of them. A tactical transport helicopter capability is absolutely critical to the success of the full range of military operations. With these upgrades, we are ensuring that our military can continue to rely on this proven helicopter for years to come.”
Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence
“We are ensuring the women and men who proudly serve in our Canadian Armed Forces have the equipment they need to carry out their important work at home and abroad. While investing in military equipment maintenance, we are also creating good middle-class jobs and generating growth for Canadians businesses.”
Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility
“I am proud to be announcing the modernization of the CH-146 Griffon. This project benefits both Canadian industry and our women and men in uniform by supporting high-quality jobs while ensuring the RCAF has the equipment it needs to succeed in operations.”
Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism
“Our government's policy ensures Bell Helicopter will invest back into our economy on a dollar-for-dollar basis to the total value of the contract. Through these investments and their partnerships with Canadian industry, Bell Helicopter will continue to be a key contributor to our economic growth, creating more jobs for Canadians and spurring innovation.”
Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
“Extending the life of the CH-146 Griffon fleet will ensure the longevity of the RCAF's tactical helicopter capability. These helicopters have performed extremely well over the years and with these new upgrades, they will continue to be a valuable asset that will allow our personnel to carry out missions and operations successfully well into the future.”
Lieutenant-General A.L. Meinzinger, Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force
CH-146 Griffons are currently deployed on Operation PRESENCE in Mali, providing an armed escort for the CH-147 Chinooks during medical evacuations and transport of troops and supplies.
Griffons are also deployed on Operation IMPACT in Iraq, carrying Canadian troops, equipment, and supplies in support of the CAF's training mission.
CH-146 Griffons provided close fire support and tactical transport during the CAF's engagement in Afghanistan, reducing exposure of CAF personnel to ground threats such as ambushes, land mines, and improvised explosive devices.
The CH-146 is based on the commercially available Bell 412 helicopter, and was developed with unique specifications for the Canadian Armed Forces.
Canada's fleet of CH-146 Griffons entered service between 1995 and 1997.
The CH-146 can carry up to 15 people (two pilots, a flight engineer, and 12 passengers), has a maximum gross weight of nearly 5,400 kilograms, and can reach speeds up to 260 kilometres per hour.
The Griffon Limited Life-Extension (GLLE) project will extend the life of the fleet to at least 2031 while the project for the acquisition of the next generation of tactical utility helicopters is developed and implemented.
Once the definition phase is complete, a separate contract is expected to be awarded for implementation in 2022.
December 26, 2022 | Local, Aerospace
Un contrat multimilliardaire d’avions de surveillance pour les Forces armées canadiennes se profile et intéresse deux rivaux qui se connaissent bien : Bombardier et Boeing. Le premier tente d’accroître son exposition au secteur militaire et l’autre aimerait revenir dans les bonnes grâces d’Ottawa.
November 23, 2018 | Local, Aerospace
Quebec-based company pushes the limits of Canadian robotics technology SHERBROOKE, QC, Nov. 22, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - New technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming all sectors of Canada's economy, including space. Canada is leveraging its leadership in AI and space to unleash innovation in space exploration. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is now exploring ways to equip future space robots with AI. Giving robots some autonomy will be critical for new missions into deep space. Set to be located in increasingly distant destinations, space robots of the future will have to work without human help, relying on AI to make decisions. The CSA is collaborating with MDA, a Maxar Technologies company, and AI experts from Menya Solutions, a small company from Sherbrooke, Quebec, on the next generation of autonomous space robotics. MDA built the original Canadarm, Canadarm2 and Dextre, and are now taking steps towards the AI-based robots of the future by giving Canadarm2 and Dextre the ability to conduct certain tasks autonomously. This pioneering work will ensure Canada'scontinued competitiveness in space robotics when future opportunities arise. Countries from around the world are preparing plans to build the successor to the International Space Station (ISS): an outpost in the vicinity of the Moon called the Gateway that will serve as a stepping stone for deep-space exploration. Unlike the ISS, which has been continuously inhabited for almost 20 years, this future orbiting lunar station will rely upon AI-based autonomous robotics for its upkeep. Robots will assemble and service the Gateway, and will capture visiting spacecraft and help conduct science on behalf of researchers on Earth. Quotes "Artificial intelligence is transforming all industries and sectors, providing new opportunities for Canadians. It's exciting to see how the collaboration between Canada's space sector and our world-leading AI research is already helping small companies grow, innovate and export their expertise. By working together, we are supporting the creation of high-skilled jobs that play a significant role in boosting Canada's digital economy." The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development "AI-enabled space robotics will extend the reach of human space exploration and will cement Canada's leading position in this critical technology area. Canada's robotics built the International Space Station and perform robotic operations while orbiting 400 km above the Earth. At 400,000 km from the Earth, the Lunar Gateway robotics will require artificial intelligence to operate more autonomously for significantly longer periods. MDA is proud to be working with Menya Solutions to develop and apply these essential technologies." Mike Greenley, Group president at MDA "Menya Solutions is excited and proud to work with the CSA and MDA on the next generation of AI-based autonomous robotics. Working with these world leaders in space and robotics technologies will create opportunities for us in other sectors and contribute to the growth of our business. This collaboration aligns well with our other ongoing efforts in helping different organisations to deploy AI solutions that support humans and machines in making decisions, improving living and working conditions, and allowing us to save money, time and lives. " Froduald Kabanza, CEO at Menya Solutions Quick facts By 2020, Canadarm2 will be able to carry out certain tasks in space without human intervention, like moving around the ISS scanning it for problems. Canadarm2 and Dextre would eventually be able to handle payloads and carrying out repairs independently. The CSA and MDA would also develop the know-how to be able to autonomously capture the Station's visiting cargo ships. Based on projections by PricewaterhouseCoopers, AI is expected to contribute as much as US$15.7 trillion to the world economy by 2030. Space contributes $5.5 billion and 10,000 direct jobs to our economy annually. Innovative small and medium-sized enterprises make up 92 percent of Canada's space sector. Over 500 Canadian organizations were involved in the supply chain that built and sustained Canada's robots on the International Space Station—from machine shops to software developers. Website: http://asc-csa.gc.ca Email:ASC.Medias-Media.CSA@canada.ca Follow us on Social Media SOURCE Canadian Space Agency https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canadas-artificial-intelligence-leadership-extending-to-space-701072341.html
March 18, 2020 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security
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