John Ivison: Canada is missing a crucial NATO exercise because our Air Force is up on bricks

On the same subject

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  February 18, 2020 | Local, Aerospace

  Quebec defends $30 million Flying Whales investment

  The Quebec government is defending its decision to invest $30 million in a project to build blimps or airships to transport heavy equipment and supplies to remote areas of the province that lack roads. In June, the government announced it was buying a minority stake in French blimp manufacturer Flying Whales that plans to build a production facility in the Montreal area within five years. The French company is developing a 150-metre-long airship capable of carrying up to 60 tonnes of cargo. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Quebec will join France and China as shareholders in the company founded in 2012. Flying Whales is working with Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) on a propulsion system that would be adapted from existing helicopter turbines. A spokesperson for PWC confirmed the company is a partner in the project, but said it is still too early in the process to add further comment. “I'm not even sure we've signed a contract with Flying Whales, but it's something very different than what's out there and we're always looking to be involved in advanced projects,” said Catherine Cunningham, assistant director, Public Relations and Communications at PWC. However, Quebec opposition parties are demanding access to a study that supports the project, claiming it's not economically feasible. In 2017, the previous Liberal government declined to partner with Flying Whales for a similar project. But the current Quebec government claims the new project is better laid out and is supported by many sources that were not identified. This isn't the first time a company has tried to build airships in the province. In 2015, LTA Aerostructures, a Montreal-based company with American and Canadian backers, announced plans to build a $60 million production facility in Mirabel to build airships capable of transporting up to 70 million tonnes of cargo. However, the plant was never built and the company's website is no longer active. https://www.skiesmag.com/news/quebec-defends-30-million-flying-whales-investment

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  June 3, 2019 | Local, Land

  Rheinmetall rolls out robot rescue vehicle at CANSEC 2019

  DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN Rheinmetall has rolled out at CANSEC 2019 in Ottawa a rescue model of its “Mission Master” robotic vehicle. The vehicle gives soldiers the ability to evacuate casualties over long distances either autonomously or via remote control. The rescue robot vehicle comes equipped with two basket stretchers with sliding provisions, head and foot immobilizers, oxygen masks and canisters, a monitor defibrillator, and other medical gear. All of these items would be impossible for a medic to carry on foot, Rheinmetall points out. Troops can operate the Mission Master from near or far using autonomous navigation. While transporting a wounded soldier using the system's stretcher, for example, accompanying medics can use the vehicle as a workstation to administer emergency care. Using the “follow me” function, the rescue robot can roll alongside other soldiers, who are busy making sure that the surrounding area is safe and secure, the company noted. “In both “follow me” and autonomous navigation modes, the Mission Master significantly relieves cognitive and physical stress, allowing troops to deal with the mission at hand,” according to Rheinmetall. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/rheinmetall-rolls-out-robot-rescue-vehicle-at-cansec-2019

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  July 19, 2021 | Local, Aerospace, C4ISR

  STTC Canadian Industry Engagement Feedback Form/ Formulaire de rétroaction sur l'engagement de l'industrie canadienne en matière d'ASTRV

  The Q&A responses and presentations from the June 15th industry day have been added to the STTC buy-and-sell website. Additionally, if you have not already, we also encourage you to please fill in the STTC Canadian Industry Engagement Feedback Form. Your input is essential as we develop our economic benefits approach for the STTC. If you have any additional questions or comments, don't hesitate to reach out to the STTC team. ********************************* Les réponses aux questions-réponses et les présentations de la journée de l'industrie du 15 juin ont été publiés au site web des achats et ventes du STTC. De plus, si vous ne l'avez pas encore fait, nous vous encourageons à remplir le formulaire de rétroaction sur l'engagement de l'industrie canadienne STTC. Votre contribution est essentielle à l'élaboration de notre approche des bénéfices économiques pour le STTC. Si vous avez d'autres questions ou commentaires, n'hésitez pas à contacter l'équipe du STTC.