DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN
The Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle project is close to wrapping up, with full operational capability of the equipment set for the end of this year, according to an update from the Canadian Forces and the Department of National Defence.
All 500 vehicles have been accepted by Canada and sent to various bases across the country. CFB Gagetown has 127 TAPVs, CFB Valcartier has 129, CFB Montreal, 25, CFB Borden, 2, CFB Shilo 42, CFB Edmonton, 63, and CFB Petawawa, 112, according to the update.
Initial operational capability was achieved in late August, 2017, although some TAPVs were used months before that during the flood relief mission in Quebec, the update pointed out.
Since April 2014, there have been 10 incidents when Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles have tipped on to their sides, six where they have rolled over completely, and four where they have caught fire.
Pat Finn, the assistant deputy minister in charge of procurement at the Department of National Defence, told Postmedia earlier this year there have been no serious injuries as a result of the incidents.
The Conservative government announced the TAPV contract in 2012 as part of its re-equipping of the Canadian Army. Canada bought 500 TAPVs from Textron, a U.S.-based defence firm, at a cost of $603 million. The TAPV is a wheeled combat vehicle that will conduct reconnaissance and surveillance, security, command and control, and armoured transport of personnel and equipment.
“Upon review of the major TAPV incidents, it has been identified that the most common contributing factors of these incidents tends to be human error due to limited familiarity time operating the vehicles,” the army noted in an emailed statement to Postmedia.
The army pointed out that investigations into the incidents did not reveal any design or mechanical faults.
The TAPV project will cost taxpayers a total of $1.2 billion, which not only includes the vehicles but also includes the building of infrastructure to house them, as well as the purchase of ammunition and service support for the equipment.
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September 16, 2022 | Local, Aerospace
Bombardier's Defense division, along with its U.S. subsidiary Learjet Inc., delivered a Global 6000 aircraft in special mission configuration to the U.S. Air Force Battlefield Airborne Communications Node program.
November 19, 2019 | Local, Aerospace
by Bill Brown From Sept. 9 to 20, 2019, personnel from Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) Aurora CP-140 fleet participated Exercise Coalition Virtual Flag (CVF) 19-4, which is led by the United States Air Force (USAF). More than 450 joint and coalition warfighters, located at 23 sites and on three different continents, participated. Canadian participants used the Aurora procedure crew trainer (PCT) mission simulator located in 404 Long Range Patrol and Training Squadron's Thorney Island Simulation Centre at 14 Wing Greenwood, N.S., to participate in the virtual exercise. Using distributed mission training (DMT) architecture, the PCT was connected to dozens of combat missions and flight simulators throughout Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. The exercise was hosted by the 705th Combat Training Squadron (CTS) at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. “Coalition Virtual Flag is an opportunity for our coalition and joint partners to get together. It's a theatre-level exercise that we can practice our tactics, techniques and procedures,” explained the United States Air Force's LCol Angela Messing, commander of 705th CTS. “It takes place in the virtual and simulated world with environment generators that replicate the exact threats that we're facing.” Canadian planning for the annual complex, joint warfare simulation started almost a year ago, with 404 Squadron's modeling and simulation experts working closely with the Royal Canadian Navy's Distributed Mission Operations Centre, the RCAF Aerospace Warfare Centre's modelling and simulation co-ordination team, and modelling and simulation planners Distributed Mission Operations Center at Kirtland Air Force Base. 404 Squadron and 405 Long Range Patrol Squadron provided two crews to complete the five missions. Crew planning took place over several days, and included preparing for authentic anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare tasks. The Aurora crews faced a multi-threat, open conflict simulation scenario, and worked alongside allies from the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Air Force. Exercise Coalition Virtual Flag represents the highest level of training that can be achieved through simulation. The crews must fight together or fail together. Miscommunication on and off their own aircraft can have deadly results, with friendly units engaged by opposing force weapons systems. The Aurora is a very capable surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft and, using its advanced sensors, has abundant tactical information to share with supported fighting forces. Adding to the opportunity of exercising in a coalition DMT environment, crews conducted tactics development and confirmation for two tactical electronic warfare instructor course mentors. With the centre of excellence residing in 404 Squadron's Simulation Flight, the CP-140 fleet will continue to advance its simulation training capabilities. Several small-scale monthly DMT exercises are planned with the Navy's Distributed Mission Operations Centre and ships' combat teams over the coming months. https://www.skiesmag.com/news/rcaf-participates-in-highest-level-simulated-mission-circling-the-globe
April 6, 2022 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security
(le français suit) New Testing Stream funding opportunities! We're looking for innovative, pre-commercial prototypes that can help address Canada's priorities in the Arctic and the North, defence, and oceans fields. Through these three themes, we've launched 15 new funding opportunities for Canadian innovators. Do you have what it takes? You could receive a contract of up to $1.15M to get your innovation tested with the Government of Canada! Apply before April 22, 2022 at 2:00pm EST. Arctic and the North From climate resilience to emergency response, the Government of Canada is seeking innovative solutions to address priorities in the Canadian Arctic and North. Check out our list of opportunities and apply for funding if you're eligible. Defence The Government of Canada is looking for prototypes to explore innovating the country's defence capabilities by bolstering cybersecurity, enhancing soldier systems, and more. Check out our list of opportunities and apply for funding if you're eligible. Oceans Could your innovation make a difference for Canada's coasts and oceans? The Government of Canada is seeking prototypes to address coastal resilience, pollution remediation, and other ocean priorities. Check out our list of opportunities and apply for funding if you're eligible. Nouvelles possibilités de financement pour le volet " mise à l'essai " ! Nous sommes à la recherche de prototypes précommerciaux novateurs qui peuvent aider à répondre aux priorités du Canada dans les domaines de l'Arctique et du Nord, de la défense et des océans. Selon ces trois thèmes, nous avons lancé 15 nouvelles possibilités de financement pour les innovateurs canadiens. Avez-vous ce qu'il faut ? Vous pourriez recevoir un contrat d'une valeur maximale de 1,15 million de dollars pour mettre votre innovation à l'essai auprès du gouvernement du Canada ! Posez votre candidature avant le 22 avril 2022 à 14 h HNE. L'Arctique et le Nord De la résilience climatique aux interventions d'urgence, le gouvernement du Canada est à la recherche de solutions novatrices pour répondre aux priorités dans l'Arctique et le Nord canadiens. Consultez notre liste d'opportunités et faites une demande de financement si vous êtes admissible. Défense Le gouvernement du Canada est à la recherche de prototypes pour explorer l'innovation des capacités de défense du pays en renforçant la cybersécurité, en améliorant les systèmes des soldats, et plus encore. Consultez notre liste d'opportunités et faites une demande de financement si vous êtes admissible. Océans Votre innovation peut-elle faire une différence pour les côtes et les océans du Canada ? Le gouvernement du Canada est à la recherche de prototypes pour aborder la résilience côtière, l'assainissement de la pollution et d'autres priorités relatives aux océans. Consultez notre liste d'opportunités et faites une demande de financement si vous êtes admissible.