November 23, 2024 | Local, C4ISR
No plans to buy first-person drones for Canadian Armed Forces
The drone systems are currently being widely used in the Russia-Ukraine war as well as in fighting in Gaza and Lebanon.
October 2, 2019 | Local, Aerospace
Pratt and Whitney awarded $2.19B for F-35 engines
BySommer Brokaw
Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Pratt & Whitney has been awarded more than $2 billion in a contract modification to a previously awarded contract for F-35 strike fighter jet propulsion system.
The $2.1B contract, announced Monday by the Department of Defense, calls for the production and delivery of F135 propulsion systems for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, including 112 F135-PW-100s for the Air Force, 46 F135-PW-600s for the Marine Corps, and 25 F-135-PW-100s for the Navy.
The company also will deliver non-U.S. Department of Defense participants and foreign military sales customers with long lead components, parts and materials associated with 129 F135-PW-100s and 19 F135-PW-600s propulsion systems under the contract modification.
Work will be performed mostly in East Hartford, Conn., where Pratt and Whitney, a division of United Technologies, is based, and remaining work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind., and Bristol, Britain. Work on the contract is expected to be finished in February 2023.
Pratt & Whitney has been chronically late in delivering engines for the F-35 program and was placed under a previously unreported "Corrective Action Request" last year by the the Defense Contract Management Agency, citing "poor delivery performance" for a batch of engines.
Mark Woodbury, DCMA spokesman, said at the time that the company needed to demonstrate that it has delivered on its promise to solve the problems that led to DCMA's request for action.
The $428 billion F-35 program is expected next year to enter full-rate production, which is the most lucrative phase of weapons program for contractors.
A source close to the program told Military.com the fighter jet will not complete its already-delayed formal operational test phase this fall because of a setback in the testing process.
The setback involved an unfinished phase of Joint Simulation Environment, according to the source.
The JSE projects weather, geography and range, allowing test pilots to prove the aircraft's "full capabilities against the full range of required threats and scenarios," according to a 2015 Director, Operational Test & Evaluation report.
Pratt & Whitney was awarded a $3.4 billion contract in June for F-35 engines, in that case 233 propulsion systems, more than half of which are for foreign military sales customers and non-Department of Defense participants in the program.
The F-35 Lightning II is a single-seat, single-engine fighter aircraft with a range of more than 1,350 miles with internal fuel, according to the U.S. Air Force. It was introduced to the Air Force in 2016.
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January 24, 2019 | Local, Aerospace
L3 MAS wins Flight Sciences Technical Investigation and Engineering Support contract
L3 MAS announced on Jan. 24 that it was competitively awarded the Flight Sciences Technical Investigation and Engineering Support (FS TIES) contract from the Government of Canada for the provision of flight sciences engineering support to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) across all its fleets. The one-year contract includes four one-year option periods. “L3 MAS is honoured to be selected by the Royal Canadian Air Force to offer technically superior, innovative and cost-effective flight sciences solutions for its fleets of aircraft,” said Jacques Comtois, vice-president and general manager of L3 MAS. “For nearly 15 years, under this very specialized contract, L3 MAS has successfully provided the RCAF with FS TIES services that encompass numerous engineering disciplines.” L3 MAS has an exceptional range of engineering skills, strategic suppliers and experience managing complex projects that include FS TIES in a collaborative team environment. With over 200 engineers and technologists, L3 MAS provides innovative and cost-effective solutions for its customers. https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/l3-mas-wins-flight-sciences-technical-investigation-and-engineering-support-contract
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June 17, 2019 | Local, Naval
Canada assumes command of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two
From: National Defence News release June 17, 2019 – Ottawa – National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces Commodore Josée Kurtz of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) officially assumed command of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) during a change of command ceremony held in Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete on Saturday, June 15. Commodore Josée Kurtz assumed command from Commodore Boudewijn Boots of the Royal Netherlands Navy. This deployment is part of Operation REASSURANCE, and Canada's contribution to NATO regional maritime security operations and assurance measures in the Mediterranean region and the Black Sea. Canada continues to answer the call to serve and contribute to international peace and security. As a founding member of NATO, Canada has demonstrated leadership and will continue to do so under our defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged. Quotes “The appointment of Commodore Josée Kurtz to lead this NATO Maritime Group is a demonstration of the Canadian Armed Forces' professionalism, leadership and strong commitment to NATO and our Allies. Our members are a visible symbol of Canada's commitment to international security and cooperation in the region and around the world.” —Lieutenant-General Mike Rouleau, Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command “It is an honour and privilege to take command of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two. Over the next six months, I look forward to working with the highly trained and professional sailors from NATO member nations as we take on the challenges of this mission and work together to strengthen global and regional stability.” —Commodore Josée Kurtz, Commander Standing NATO Maritime Group Two Quick facts Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Toronto is deployed with the Maritime Task Force as part of OP REASSURANCE and is now the flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2). SNMG2 is one of four multinational, high readiness maritime forces composed of vessels from allied countries. These vessels are permanently available to NATO to perform tasks ranging from participation in exercises to operational missions. These groups provide NATO with a continuous maritime capability and help to establish Alliance presence, demonstrate solidarity, conduct routine diplomatic visits and enhance interoperability among Allied naval forces. They also serve as a consistently ready maritime force to support the NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force. With Commodore Kurtz's appointment, Canada is currently leading three NATO efforts globally. Since June 2017, the CAF have led a robust multinational rotational NATO Battle Group in Latvia as one of four Framework Nations formed as part of the Alliance's enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltic countries and Poland. Since November 2018, Canada has also led NATO Mission Iraq (NMI), which aims to create the conditions for more effective and sustainable Iraqi security institutions and structures. Commodore Josée Kurtz is an exceptional leader and outstanding role model and her appointment demonstrates Canada's leadership and strong commitment to the Alliance. This commitment to multinational naval leadership follows Canada's recent command of Combined Task Force 150 from December 2018 to April 2019. The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is making significant contributions to security and stability around the globe, and is an agile, fighting force that can be rapidly deployed and flexibly employed. A capable, steadfast partner, our sailors, and ships have a solid reputation and are always ready to help, lead and fight. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2019/06/canada-assumes-command-of-standing-nato-maritime-group-two.html