22 décembre 2020 | Local, Aérospatial
OTTAWA - Le gouvernement fédéral a annoncé lundi avoir fait l'acquisition d'un système d'aéronef télépiloté au coût de 36,2 millions $ afin de protéger les eaux canadiennes et de surveiller la pollution.
Le nouvel appareil est un Hermes 900 StarLiner, est fabriqué par le constructeur aéronautique israélien Elbit Systems. Selon le site web de l'entreprise, l'engin a une envergure de 17 mètres et une masse maximale au décollage de 1'600 kg.
Il contribuera à la mise en oeuvre du Programme national de surveillance aérienne de Transports Canada, a indiqué Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada, dans un communiqué.
L'engin servira notamment à détecter les déversements de pétrole, à étudier les habitats de glace et d'eau et à surveiller ce qui se passe sur les eaux de l'Arctique canadien.
Le programme vise aussi à contribuer aux opérations de recherche et de sauvetage, aux activités humanitaires et à la lutte contre la pêche illégale.
«Cet achat jouera un rôle essentiel dans les efforts du gouvernement visant à vérifier le potentiel pratique de la technologie des drones et à l'intégrer en toute sécurité dans l'espace aérien», est-il également noté dans le communiqué.
L'aéronef pourra être commandé depuis un endroit éloigné. Il est doté de capacités d'autopilotage, dont le décollage et l'atterrissage automatiques. Son rayon d'action est de plus de 1400 milles marins.
Elbit Systems est une entreprise spécialisée dans les technologies de défense. Elle a obtenu le contrat à la suite d'un «processus d'approvisionnement concurrentiel, ouvert et transparent», insiste Ottawa. Il devrait être livré d'ici deux ans.
13 avril 2021 | Local, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité
S'il existe un récif sur lequel le gouvernement fédéral s'échoue continuellement depuis des décennies, c'est bien celui de l'approvisionnement militaire. Aux prises avec des décisions aux conséquences financières considérables, les gouvernements tergiversent, souvent plombés par des enjeux politiques et par l'influence des militaires.
12 février 2018 | Local, Sécurité
The Canadian Forces is buying kits that will let its leaders experience what it's like to be stoned on marijuana. The “marijuana simulation kits” will include “marijuana impairment goggles,” among other items. The Canadian Forces wants to acquire 26 of the kits by April 30 or sooner if possible. “The purpose of the Marijuana Simulation Kits is to raise awareness of marijuana impairment, reduce risk of marijuana impairment, and promote healthy lifestyles within the Canadian Armed Forces,” companies who want to bid on the contract were told. “The marijuana impairment goggles, which is one of the several items included in the Marijuana Simulation Kit, allows users to experience first-hand, the deficits marijuana creates on the body.” Department of National Defence spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier said Friday that the kits will be used in the Military Personnel Command's supervisor training course. “This will help ensure that CAF members in leadership positions will be able to identify signs of, assist in detecting and provide guidance regarding, prohibited drug use,” he said. The value of the contract will only be known once bids are received, evaluated and a contract is awarded, but it is estimated at up to $170,000 over five years. The Liberal government intends to make the use of recreational marijuana legal by the summer. CBC reported this week that a Statistics Canada survey found Canadians pay an average of less than $7 a gram for pot. The kits may also be used at National Defence health fairs, community events, kiosks or other events to educate other military members, families and the public about the impact of marijuana on cognitive functioning, Le Bouthillier said. A number of firms make such devices. In 2015, Innocorp Ltd. in the U.S. unveiled green-tinted goggles that simulate “the distorted processing of visual information, loss of motor co-ordination, and slowed decision-making and reaction time resulting from recreational marijuana use.” Some police departments in the U.S. already use marijuana impairment kits for training. Participants wearing the goggles will experience the simulated effects resulting from recreational marijuana use, such as distorted processing of visual information, slower decision-making and loss of motor coordination, Le Bouthillier said. The training could include exercises such as ball tossing, simulated driving and other means of demonstrating the effect on reaction time. Le Bouthiller said the military currently uses alcohol impairment goggles in similar courses for military leaders. http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/military-to-spend-170000-so-leaders-can-see-what-its-like-to-be-stoned-on-marijuana
9 janvier 2020 | Local, Sécurité
Each year the International Walt Darran Aerial Firefighting Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and innovations within the industry. The deadline for 2020 awards is only one week away. The awards committee invites global aviation community to nominate individuals or companies before Jan. 17, 2020 to celebrate their achievements in aerial firefighting. Aiming to recognize a significant contribution by an individual or organization to aerial firefighting, the awards were inaugurated in honour of the late Walt Darran, who was a pioneer and advocate for safety and advances in aerial firefighting. These sought-after awards are a peer honour, with aerial firefighters from all around the globe honouring fellow colleagues. The nominations and resultant winners are administered by the International Awards Committee — an independent international consortium from the International Fire Aviation Working Group (IFAWG) and Associated Aerial Firefighters. Any person or organization that has made a significant contribution to furthering the safety and/or efficiency of aerial firefighting could be nominated. Once again, nominations are being accepted in two categories: Contribution to Aerial Firefighting Safety and Industry Innovation & Advancement. To nominate your candidates, please complete the awards nomination forms and return them to Kate Niven from Tangent link at kniven@tangentlink.com before Jan. 17, 2020. The awards committee will convene after this date to review written submissions and select the winners. The awards ceremony to announce winners will take place during the Aerial Firefighting North America Conference Dinner on March 4, 2020 in Sacramento, Calif., as a part of Aerial Firefighting North America 2020. https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/call-for-nominations-for-the-international-walt-darran-aerial-firefighting-awards-2020