Le Ministère de la Défense Nationale et les Forces armées canadiennes -- Conférence de Kingston sur la sécurité internationale / The Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces update -- Kingston Conference on International Security

On the same subject

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  March 19, 2020 | Local, Naval

  Construction of new Arctic ships, maintenance of frigates halted because of COVID-19

  DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN Construction of the Royal Canadian Navy's new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships and maintenance of its frigates has been halted because of the novel coronavirus. “We are immediately suspending industrial activities at Halifax Shipyard, Marine Fabricators, and Woodside Industries related to the AOPS construction program and the Halifax-class In-Service maintenance program,” wrote Irving Shipbuilding president Kevin McCoy. “The decision became necessary given the high density of the employee population in certain work areas, high absenteeism, and reduced critical vendor support in materials and services.” Irving will review its decision on a week-by-week basis to assess the latest information about COVID-19, McCoy added. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/construction-of-new-arctic-ships-maintenance-of-frigates-halted-because-of-covid-19

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  February 4, 2019 | Local, C4ISR

  Government of Canada announces contract awards for research and development in support of Arctic surveillance

  February 1, 2019 – Ottawa, Ont. – National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces The Department of National Defence is investing in defence research and development to produce innovative solutions to surveillance challenges facing the Canadian Armed Forces' (CAF), particularly in Canada's North. In support of this, Member of Parliament for York Centre Michael Levitt, on behalf of Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan, announced today that the Department of National Defence, through Public Services and Procurement Canada, has awarded two contracts to Raytheon Canada Limited and the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies' Space Flight Lab (UTIAS SFL) under the All Domain Situational Awareness (ADSA) Science & Technology (S&T) Program for a total of $46.2 million. Raytheon Canada Limited has been awarded a contract for $31.2 million for the construction of transmit and receive electronics for a study of over-the-horizon radar detection at long range. A contract for $15 million has also been awarded to UTIAS SFL for the development of a prototype of a multipurpose microsatellite equipped with state-of-the-art sensor technology for air and maritime surveillance. As outlined in our defence policy Strong, Secure, Engaged, the ability to conduct leading-edge research and development in satellite and radar technologies plays a critical role in supporting the CAFs capabilities, particularly in remote locations such as Canada's Arctic. Surveillance solutions such as these improve our access to accurate and timely information, enabling the CAF and our partners to better collect, understand and disseminate information and intelligence, and support our ability to succeed on operations at home or abroad. These systems will support our government's ability to exercise sovereignty in the North, and provide a greater awareness of safety and security issues, as well as transportation and commercial activity in Canada's Arctic. In addition, solutions achieved under the ADSA program will contribute to joint efforts between Canada and the United States to modernize elements of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Quotes “Our government understands that science and innovation are crucial in solving some of our most complex defence and security challenges. Through these contracts, the Department of National Defence is taking the next step to solving our surveillance challenges in the Arctic. We are proud to be partnering with Raytheon Canada and the Space Flight Laboratory to produce innovative solutions that will help to protect Canada's North.” The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan Minister of National Defence Quick facts The UTIAS SFL microsatellites being developed will allow for quick and timely detection and identification of surface or airborne targets. This is expected to improve the reliability of the detection and identification performance, leading to improved situational awareness for the CAF and our partners. Upon successful completion and testing of the prototype, two additional microsatellites will be built to create a small formation. These will then be launched for demonstration and testing. The primary objective of the Raytheon project is to demonstrate the feasibility of sky-wave radar technology for the detection of air targets at all altitudes beyond the radar's horizon. This involves reflecting signals off of the ionosphere and back to a receiving station located beyond the line of site. Once operational, the system will be used in conjunction with other systems to further understand the effect of the Aurora Borealis on target detection beyond the horizon. The ADSA S&T Program aims to leverage innovative science & technology expertise from other government departments, academia, industry and allies, to identify, assess and validate technologies in support of air and maritime surveillance, particularly in the North. Through a five-year investment of $133M through to 2020, the ADSA S&T Program is supporting the development of options for enhanced domain awareness of air, maritime surface and sub-surface approaches to Canada, in particular those in the Arctic. National Defence's science and technology organization, Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), is the national leader in defence and security S&T. DRDC provides the defence S&T community, the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments, as well as the public safety and security communities, with the knowledge and technology advantage needed to defend and protect Canada's interests at home and abroad. Associated links All Domain Situational Awareness S&T Program Strong, Secure, Engaged https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2019/02/government-of-canada-announces-contract-awards-for-research-and-development-in-support-of-arctic-surveillance.html

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  March 15, 2019 | Local, Aerospace

  DRAKKAR and Avianor partner to fuel growth of Quebec aerospace cluster

  DRAKKAR, a world-class company specialized in operational outsourcing within sectors including aerospace, and Avianor, a complete commercial aviation cabin integration specialist and MRO organization, have finalized a partnership agreement which will enable Avianor to accelerate its growth strategy. With the help of Ernst & Young Orenda Corporate Finance, Avianor strongly believes the strategic and Canadian-based company DRAKKAR is the best partner to secure the future of Avianor. Following this transaction, effective as of Feb. 28, 2019, the Avianor board of directors now consists of Earl Diamond, CEO of Avianor; Sylvain Savard, president and founder of Avianor; along with two new members from DRAKKAR, Denis Deschamps, president and CEO of Drakkar & Partners; and Benoit Hudon, president and CEO of the company's manufacturing business unit. Over the past 24 years, Avianor has become a leader in the aviation industry by distinguishing itself through innovative problem solving, maintaining a skilled workforce and a flexible corporate culture. Although Avianor will remain an independent operation, DRAKKAR will now provide Avianor with strategic, tactical, financial, operational, business development and training support to help the company accelerate and achieve its consolidation and growth plan while meeting customers' satisfaction. Part of this plan also includes the renovation of a new and additional facility with over 100,000 square feet of hangars and offices with airside access at Montreal-Mirabel International Airport (YMX). “This new partnership reinforces the global positioning of our business as a high-caliber outsourcing team with the ability to optimize operations while keeping in mind productivity, efficiency and quality,” said Deschamps and Hudon. “With over 25 years of experience and expertise in outsourcing, this is a major turning point for our manufacturing business unit as it opens the door to the convergence and deployment of its global service offer. “DRAKKAR Manufacturing fits perfectly with our vision of creating our own innovative manufacturing ecosystem in one of our leading sectors, working collaboratively with our employees, partners, customers and suppliers as well as our own infrastructure,” added Deschamps and Hudon. “For us, this association with DRAKKAR reflects our determination and willingness to meet the needs of our existing and future clients and shows our concrete commitment to perpetuate Avianor activities over the long term and secure hundreds of jobs here in Quebec at the Mirabel Airport,” said Savard and Diamond. “With a current workforce of over 2,500 people and a solid experience in operations management, DRAKKAR will help us achieve the operational efficiency required of a large enterprise while ensuring personalized service is provided to all our clients.” “It is a proud moment for Aéro Montreal to see these companies conclude a partnership agreement with the objective of uniting their forces and combining their complementary expertise to create a strong added value within the industry,” said Suzanne M. Benoit, president of Aéro Montreal. “In addition to fostering economic growth and job creation across Canada, this type of partnership contributes to an even stronger, more competitive and prosperous Quebec aerospace industry. “It is a common and shared priority to ensure the visibility and influence of the companies that make up our industrial cluster, and in order to do so, we must effectively offer the OEMs more integrated solutions.” https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/drakkar-and-avianor-partner-to-fuel-growth-of-quebec-aerospace-cluster