Rheinmetall lifts curtain on new next-gen combat vehicle with hopes to spark US Army interest

On the same subject

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  May 17, 2018 | Local, Aerospace

  Creating jobs through defence procurement

  News release Positioning Canadian industry for a once-in-a-generation opportunity May 16, 2018, Ottawa, Ontario Canada's planned purchase of 88 new fighter jets would be its largest aerospace buy in more than 30 years. It presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create jobs and generate benefits for Canadians. The purchase of these jets is subject to the Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy, which requires that for every dollar the government spends on major defence purchases, the winning contractor must put a dollar back into Canada's economy. Through this policy, the government's purchasing power is being used to support innovation and create well-paying middle-class jobs. This was the message delivered at a series of six regional forums held across the country by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, in concert with National Defence, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and the regional development agencies. Representatives from more than 250 companies and 50 universities and research institutions participated in a total of 750 meetings. They were able to meet directly with fighter manufacturers and start building relationships and partnerships during these forums, positioning them to take advantage of the opportunities that will come from this large-scale procurement. By working with Canada's aerospace and defence industries, our government is making sure that Canadians get the most benefits possible from large defence purchases. Quotes “The Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy means we can turn the most significant investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in more than 30 years into middle-class jobs and economic benefits for Canadians.” – The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development “Our government has achieved yet another important milestone as we continue to make progress toward replacing Canada's fighter fleet. This procurement will generate significant economic benefits for Canadians, and we committed to ensuring that our Canadian aerospace and defence sectors are well-positioned to participate in the renewal of Canada's fighter fleet.” – The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement “A modern fighter jet fleet is essential for defending Canadian sovereignty, enabling continental security, and contributing to international peace and security. I am pleased to hear about the productive conversations that have been taking place with Canadian industry members and partners these past few weeks. This competition presents a great opportunity for Canadian industry to be involved with the sustainment of the future fighter fleet.” – The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence Quick facts Canada's aerospace and defence industries together contribute over 240,000 quality jobs. The aerospace industry directly contributed $13 billion in gross domestic product and over 87,000 jobs to the Canadian economy in 2016. The Canadian defence sector includes over 650 firms employing highly skilled workers in high-quality jobs. Since 1986, Canada's ITB Policy and its predecessor, the Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy, have contributed almost $40 billion to Canada's gross domestic product. Applying the policy generates around 40,000 jobs annually. https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2018/05/creating-jobs-through-defence-procurement.html

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  October 8, 2023 | Local, Naval

  Amazon launches first test satellites for Kuiper internet network | Reuters

  Amazon's first pair of prototype satellites for its planned Kuiper internet network were launched into space on Friday from Florida, the company's first step before it deploys thousands more into orbit to beam internet service globally and compete with SpaceX's Starlink.

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  April 16, 2020 | Local, Aerospace, Security

  Longview delivers first production Viking CL-415EAF “Enhanced Aerial Firefighter”

  Longview Aviation Services (LAS) of Calgary, Alta., in co-operation with Viking Air Limited of Victoria, B.C., announced the first Viking CL-415EAF “Enhanced Aerial Firefighter” has been delivered to launch customer Bridger Aerospace Group of Bozeman, Mont., U.S.A. Bridger Aerospace became the launch customer for the Viking CL-415EAF “Enhanced Aerial Firefighter” program after signing a multiple aircraft purchase agreement in May of 2018. The contract with all options exercised is valued at $204 million and covers the sale of six CL-415EAF amphibious aerial firefighting aircraft. Manufacturer's serial number (MSN) 1081, the first Canadair CL-215 to undergo the major modification to the EAF “Enhanced Aerial Firefighter” configuration, took its inaugural flight on March 9, 2020 outside of program-collaborator Cascade Aerospace's facility in Abbotsford, B.C. After application of Bridger's livery at International Aerospace Coatings' facility in Spokane, Wash., MSN 1081 flew over the central Rocky Mountain range to Bozeman, Mont., for delivery to Bridger Aerospace in advance of the 2020 North American wildfire season. Tim Sheehy, founder and CEO of Bridger Aerospace Group, stated, “Aggressive initial attack and advanced technology in support of the wildland firefighter are the core of Bridger's ethos. The Viking CL-415EAF is the most capable initial attack asset on the planet and we are proud to be the launch customer for this incredible capability.” Robert Mauracher, executive vice-president of Sales and Marketing for Viking, commented, “We are very excited and proud to be delivering our first Viking CL-415EAF Enhanced Aerial Firefighter to Bridger Aerospace in time for the 2020 North American wildfire season. The delivery of our first Enhanced Aerial Firefighter is the culmination of a multi-faceted collaborative project originally launched in 2018 and represents the solid partnership that has developed between Viking, LAS, and Bridger over the past 24 months. We are now looking forward to adding a second aircraft to their fleet in the coming months.” The CL-415EAF “Enhanced Aerial Firefighter” modification program, announced in 2018 as a collaboration between the two subsidiaries of Longview Aviation Capital, provides an economic boost throughout Western Canada derived from job creation, aerospace manufacturing innovation, supply chain development, academic partnerships, and global export opportunities. The Viking CL-415EAF modification program forms part of a staged approach to utilize the advancements made with the LAS converted aircraft as the basis for the proposed next-generation Viking CL-515 new-production aerial firefighting and multi-purpose amphibious aircraft. The Viking CL-415EAF “Enhanced Aerial Firefighter” is a specially selected CL-215 airframe converted to turbine configuration using Viking-supplied conversion kits. It features a new Collins Pro Line Fusion integrated digital avionics suite, Pratt & Whitney PW123AF turbine engines, increased fire-retardant capacity, and improvements to numerous aircraft systems. The Viking CL-415EAF represents the evolution of the type, providing best-in-class water drop performance utilizing the higher delivery two-door water drop system combined with a zero-timed maintenance program and a “new aircraft” factory-supported warranty program. All obsolete components impacting the worldwide fleet of CL-215 & CL-415 aircraft are replaced in the CL- 415EAF, and the upgraded aircraft is designed to failsafe FAR 25 certification criteria with no preset life limit. The very short scooping distance of the CL-415EAF aircraft is expected to outperform competitors from initial attack to sustained major fire suppression, and the combination of safety and longevity represents exceptional value inherent in purpose-built aerial firefighting amphibious aircraft. The CL-415EAF aircraft is the only aerial firefighter with factory OEM support offered by Viking's Customer Service and Product Support division, including management of all Continuing Airworthiness, warranty items, in-service engineering, initial provisioning, as well as offering Viking's M+ all-inclusive maintenance support program. All improvements and obsolescence issues addressed in the CL-415EAF aircraft will become the new aircraft production standard in the manufacture of an all new, next generation CL-515 multi-purpose amphibious aircraft. https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/longview-delivers-first-production-viking-cl-415eaf-enhanced-aerial-firefighter