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  January 29, 2018 | Local, Naval

  ASTERIX COMPLETES ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY TRIALS, ACHIEVES FULL OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY (FOC)

  Halifax, NS – Monday January 29th 2018: Today, Davie Shipbuilding and Federal Fleet Services announced that following an intensive period of at-sea trials and testing, Asterix has been formally accepted by the Department of National Defence and has now entered full operational service with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). As planned, Asterix performed daily replenishment-at-sea (RAS) exercises with the RCN and conducted extensive RCAF CH-148 Cyclone helicopter operations to prove and demonstrate the world-leading capabilities of the Resolve-Class Naval Support Ship. These exercises have included everything from dual RAS operations to helicopter landing, take-off and vertical replenishment trials. Spencer Fraser, CEO of Federal Fleet Services commented “To deliver the first Canadian naval ship in over twenty years, the first supply ship in almost 50 years, and to reach FOC so efficiently and in such a short period of time is a testament to the hard work, dedication and dynamism of the teams at Davie and FFS. We are all very proud of our achievement and appreciative of the professional support we have received from DND and PSPC.” Fraser added, “We promised the government that we would fill a strategic gap in an expedited manner, that we would save the Canadian taxpayer money with our solution, and most importantly, that we would provide the men and women of the RCN and RCAF with a world-class capability they could be proud of. Today marks that achievement and we stand ready to assist the Government of Canada to do more.” Alex Vicefield, Chairman of Davie commented, “We would like to thank Prime Minister Trudeau for the confidence and trust he placed in Canada's largest shipbuilder with the award of this program. We are proud to have delivered, as promised, on this vital defence capability which will serve Canada for years to come.” Over 900 Canadian companies from coast-to-coast participated in the build of Asterix, and the Resolve Class has been hailed worldwide for the innovative Canadian solutions integrated onboard. Participation in this project has assisted the exports of many of Davie's Tier 1 sub-contractors; Hepburn of Toronto designed and built the RAS equipment, L3 MAPPS of Montreal designed and installed the Integrated Platform Management System and OSI of Vancouver designed and built the Integrated Bridge System. By participating in the project, these and other innovative Canadian companies have been able to win export opportunities. Asterix is now ready for global deployment to support combat and humanitarian operations as directed by the Government of Canada. Photographs of the RCN and RCAF trials are available for download in high-resolution here: http://www.davielibrary.com/Project-Resolve-/First-Navy-Trials/i-XHjt2VJ http://www.davie.ca/news/asterix-completes-royal-canadian-navy-trials-achieves-full-operational-capability-foc/

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  November 11, 2020 | Local, Naval

  Royal Canadian Navy Unveils New Details On CSC Frigates

  The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) released the latest details on the configuration of its next generation frigates: the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC). They will be heavily armed, featuring Naval Strike Missiles, Tomahawk and both ESSM and Sea Ceptor! The RCN last week unveiled a PDF document shedding light on the latest configuration retained for its next gen class of frigate: the CSC. Naval News contacted various sources familiar with the program to confirm the selection of a number of systems listed in the document. What stands out in this new document is fact that the CSC will be fitted with a wide range of weapons, both offensive and defense, in a mix never seen before in any surface combatant. Naval Strike Missile (NSM) While NSM launchers were shown in the past on CSC scale models at various tradeshows (Surface Navy and Sea Air Space), the CSC model on display at DSEI 2019 was showing Harpoon launchers aboard the frigate To our knowledge, it is the first time that an official Royal Canadian Navy lists the NSM as the main anti-surface warfare (ASuW) weapon for the CSC. Contacted by Naval News, an industry source said Kongsberg was close to finalizing the deal. NSM has an operational range of 100 nautical miles (185 Km) and a high subsonic speed. It uses Inertial, GPS and terrain-reference navigation and imaging infrared homing (with a target database aboard the missile). The NSM is a fifth generation anti-sip missile, produced by Kongsberg and managed in the U.S. by Raytheon. NSM reached Initial Operational Capability on the Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates and Skjold-class corvettes in 2012. It is also fielded by the Polish Navy (coastal defense batteries) and has been selected by the navies of Malaysia and Germany. NSM was also selected in 2018 as the winner of the U.S. Navy Over-The-Horizon Weapon System (OTH WS) competition and by the USMC last year. It will be fitted aboard the Littoral Combat Ship and the Constellation-class frigates. In the case of Canada, is selected, the NSM will likely be sourced from Raytheon via an FMS deal, rather than procured directly from Norway. Tomahawk land attack cruise missile If Tomahawk missiles end up in the CSC weapons package, this would be quite significant. So far, Raytheon's land attack cruise missile has only been exported to the United Kingdom in its submarine launched variant. Canada would become the second export customer for the missile and the only navy, with the US Navy to deploy it from surface vessels. Naval News contacted Raytheon for comment but we have not heard back yet. During the Sea Air Space 2019 tradeshow, representatives from Lockheed Martin Canada confirmed to Naval News the MK41 VLS aboard the frigate were “strike length”. The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) is a long-range, all-weather, jet-powered, subsonic cruise missile that is primarily used by the United States Navy and Royal Navy in ship- and submarine-based land-attack operations. Its latest variant, the RGM/UGM-109E Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM Block IV) has a range of 900 nautical miles (or 1,000 mi / 1,700 km). ESSM and Sea Ceptor The last thing that really caught our attention in the RCN document is the fact that both the ESSM and Sea Ceptor are listed. On paper, the two missiles are direct competitors and redundant: ESSM is a medium-range, all-weather, semi-active radar-guided missile used in surface-to-air and surface-to-surface roles. According to open sources, the RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) has a range of about 27 nautical miles (50 Km) and a top speed of Mach 4+. Unlike ESSM Block 1, the Block 2's active radar homing seeker will support terminal engagement without the launch ship's target illumination radars. The improved ESSM Block 2 will be fielded by the US Navy from 2020. Canada is one of the 12 nations taking part in the NATO-led ESSM consortium and will be deploying the Block 2 variant aboard the future CSC. The will be launched from the Mk41 VLS. The missiles can be “quad packed” in a single cell. According to MBDA, Sea Ceptor is the next-generation, ship-based, all-weather, air defence weapon system. The Weapon System has the capability to intercept and thereby neutralise the full range of current and future threats including combat aircraft and the new generation of supersonic anti-ship missiles. Capable of multiple channels of fire, the system will also counter saturation attacks. It has a range of 25 Km, a speed of Mach 3 and features an active RF seeker. Also known as Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (Maritime) – CAMM(M), this new missiles has already been fielded aboard the Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates and the Royal New Zealand Navy ANZAC-class frigates. Sea Ceptor will also be fitted aboard the future Type 26 frigates. Contacted by Naval News, an MBDA source shed some light on how the Sea Ceptor was selected in addition to the ESSM. The two missiles were not competing against each other. Raytheon's ESSM was selected to provide “point defense”. Instead, MBDA pitched its missile for the RCN's close in weapons system (CIWS) requirement. The Sea Ceptor beat out systems usually used in that role such as the RAM, SeaRam or Phalanx. The final Sea Ceptor configuration aboard the CSC still needs finalized and confirmed but it will likely be 24x missiles launched from Lockheed Martin's Extensible Launching System (ExLS) located amidship. The RCN would become the launch customer for that new launcher alongside the Brazilian Navy (for its new corvette design based on the TKMS MEKO A-100) depending on who signs the contract first. CSC latest configuration Surveillance & Weapon Sensors Solid State 3D Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar – LMC SPY-7 Solid State AESA Target Illuminator – MDA Navigation Radars – X & S Band Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems Electronic Warfare & Countermeasures Suite Radar/Radio ESM Frequency Identification Laser Warning and Countermeasures System Radio Frequency and Electronic Jammers Electronic Decoy System Naval News comments: An industry source informed us that except for the Torpedo decoy systems (to be provided by Ultra) the decoy launchers for CSC and their ammunition is one of the few systems that are still “up in the air”. We were told however that the RCN wants the full range of decoy types available on the market today: Infra red, chaff, corner reflectors, smoke for masking / screening and even offboard active decoys (such as Nulka). The EW suite of the CSC will be known as the RAVEN. Designed by Lockheed Martin Canada, it is based on the RAMSES system currently fitted aboard the Halifax-class frigates. Command & Control Combat Management System – LMC CMS 330 with AEGIS USN Cooperative Engagement Capability – Sensor Netting Integrated Cyber Defence System Integrated Bridge and Navigation System – OSI Internal and External Communication Suite – L3 Harris Aviation Facilities 1 x CH-148 Cyclone Helicopter Space for embarking Remotely Piloted Systems Helo Hauldown and Traverse System – Indal Technologies Inc. Weapons Missile Vertical Launch System 32 Cells – LMC MK 41 Area Air Defence Missiles – Raytheon Standard Missile 2 Point Defence Missiles – Raytheon Evolved Sea Sparrow Naval Fires Support – Raytheon Tomahawk Main Gun System – 127mm Lightweight Torpedoes MK54 & Twin Launch Tubes Close-In Air Defence System – MBDA Sea Ceptor Surface-to-Surface Anti-Ship Missile – Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile 2 x Stabilized Rapid Fire 30mm Naval Gun System – BAE Naval News comments: The main gun is another system on which the RCN has yet to formally make a choice. According to our sources, Italy's Leonardo 127/64 LW is still in competition against BAE System's Mk45 Mod 4. Note that the CSC scale models and illustrations (above) have always shown the American gun. In addition, the UK's Type 26 and Australia's Hunter-class frigates will both use the later naval gun system. A possible FMS of SM-2 Block IIIC missiles for the CSC was approved last week. Reconfigurable Mission & Boat Bays 1 x Rescue Boat – 9 metres 2 x Multi-Role Boats – 9-12 metres Mission Bay Handling System – Rolls Royce Modular Mission Support Capacity – Sea Container, Vehicles, Boats Propulsion & Power Generation Combined Diesel-Electric or Gas Propulsion System (CODLOG) 2 x Electric Motors – GE 1 x Gas Turbine – Rolls Royce MT 30 4 x Diesel Generators – Rolls Royce MTU Integrated Platform Management System – L3 Harris Integrated Underwater Warfare System Towed Low Frequency Active & Passive Sonar – Ultra Electronics Hull-Mounted Sonar – Ultra Electronics Sonar S2150 Towed Torpedo Countermeasures – Ultra Electronics SEA SENTOR S21700 Sonobuoy Processing System – General Dynamics Expendable Acoustic Countermeasures Specifications: Length: 151.4 metres Beam: 20.75 metres Speed: 27 knots Displacement: 7,800 tonnes Navigational Draught: ~8m Range: 7000 nautical miles Class: 15 ships Accommodations: ~204 Naval News comments: The displacement figure (7,800 tonnes) shown on the RCN document is probably the “full load” displacement. For comparison, the official figure for the Royal Navy's Type 26 frigate is 6,900 tons standard displacement while the official figure for the Royal Australian Navy's Hunter-class frigate is 8,800 tons at full load. In addition to the PDF unveiled last week, the Royal Canadian Navy Director of Naval Strategy, Captain Nucci, published an article on CSC in USNI's proceedings: “Canada is pursuing a single class of 15 surface combatants for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), unlike some of its allies who are building multiple classes of more specialized ships. A single variant Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) is better than the project's original vision of two variants based on a common hull (the first a task group command/air-defense version, the other a more general-purpose/antisubmarine warfare version). While all naval force structure is essentially driven by national strategic defense and security interests, a single-class solution is based on three principal factors. First, it fits best for Canada's unique naval requirements shaped by its geography, modest fleet size, and the RCN's operational needs. Second, it optimizes effectiveness now and into the future, while responsibly seeking maximum cost efficiencies. Finally, it is an innovative approach that has only recently become both practical and advantageous because of recent technological developments, such as convergence and digitization.” Captain Christopher Nucci, Royal Canadian Navy, Proceedings, USNI, November 2020 https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/11/royal-canadian-navy-unveils-new-details-on-csc-frigates/

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  April 17, 2020 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

  Les pays de l’OTAN doivent protéger leurs entreprises stratégiques

  Bruxelles) Les adversaires potentiels des pays de l'OTAN vont tenter de profiter de la crise économique provoquée par la COVID-19 pour essayer de prendre le contrôle d'entreprises ou d'infrastructures stratégiques et de saper l'unité de l'Alliance, a averti mercredi son secrétaire général Jens Stoltenberg. Publié le 15 avril 2020 à 14h41 AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE « Cette crise pourrait avoir des effets géopolitiques majeurs », a-t-il affirmé au cours d'un point de presse à l'issue d'une réunion en vidéoconférence avec les ministres de la Défense de l'Alliance. « La crise économique pourrait permettre des investissements dans des industries et des infrastructures stratégiques », a-t-il expliqué. « Il est important de protéger ces entreprises », a-t-il insisté. Jens Stoltenberg n'a pas cité les États ou les groupes impliqués dans ces prises de contrôle, mais la mise en garde vise surtout les importants investissements réalisés par la Chine dans les infrastructures portuaires et les télécommunications en Europe. « La vente d'infrastructures stratégiques par les pays les plus vulnérables pourrait saper la capacité de résistance des pays de l'Alliance en cas de nouvelle crise », a estimé le secrétaire général de l'OTAN. Les pays de l'OTAN ont « besoin d'infrastructures et de télécommunications fiables en temps de crise », a souligné le Norvégien. Jens Stoltenberg a également insisté sur la nécessité de combattre la désinformation sur les actions menées par les alliés et leur unité. « Nous devons contrer les campagnes de désinformation menées par des acteurs étatiques et non étatiques sur les réseaux sociaux qui visent à nous diviser et à nous fragiliser avec de fausses informations sur l'aide mutuelle que nous nous apportons », a-t-il dit. « La meilleure réponse passe par une presse libre qui vérifie les faits et pose des questions parfois difficiles », a-t-il soutenu. « Il est encore trop tôt pour tirer les enseignements de cette crise, mais nous devons être préparés pour la prochaine », a-t-il affirmé. « La croissance est touchée et les dépenses publiques également », a-t-il reconnu. Les membres de l'Alliance se sont engagés à consacrer 2 % de leur PIB national à leurs dépenses de défense en 2024. Jens Stoltenberg a toutefois expliqué l'importance des investissements dans les capacités militaires, car elles viennent « comme une capacité d'appoint ». « L'OTAN n'est pas le principal intervenant en cas de crise sanitaire, mais elle peut soutenir les efforts du secteur civil », a-t-il soutenu. « La principale leçon de cette crise est le lien étroit entre les efforts civils et la capacité de soutien des forces militaires. Il faudra voir comment l'améliorer avant la prochaine crise », a déclaré Jens Stoltenberg. Il s'est refusé à tout commentaire sur la suspension de la contribution américaine à l'Organisation mondiale de la santé. https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/entreprises/202004/15/01-5269469-les-pays-de-lotan-doivent-proteger-leurs-entreprises-strategiques.php