When the Government awards contracts for defence-related projects, it is keen to see supply chain work done in Canada, as much as possible. In theory, this prioritizes economic investment within Canada as a quid pro quo for the large and lucrative defence contracts. But in practice...
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The JSS project timeline is much longer than it should be, but is well underway. So why, after all this time, did the House ask PBO to review costs?
Although COVID-19 has had a significant impact across Canada, the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) has made significant progress in 2020. The question now, is what will the headwinds be like, in 2021 and beyond?
The Royal Australian Navy plays a big part in Australia’s extensive transformation process. The new procurement approach has been labelled a “continuous shipbuilding process,” and has the potential to impact defence procurement processes of its allies.
A look at the long journey of the Type 26 being chosen as Canada's new Surface Combatant design for the Royal Canadian Navy.
BMT in Canada is known as a leading provider of consulting services related to ship design/engineering and program management support across the complete platform life cycle.
Alion Science and Technology, along with its subsidiary Alion Canada, has teamed with Atlas Elektronik and Hensoldt Sensors to submit a bid based on the Dutch De Zeven Provinciën Air Defence and Command (LCF) frigate design.
Led by Lockheed Martin Canada as the Combat Systems Integrator (CSI), this team includes BAE Systems Canada contributing the Type 26 Global Combat Ship design, with support from other well-known Canadian companies and subsidiaries including CAE, L3 Technologies, MDA and Ultra Electronics.
Navantia of Spain has teamed up with Systems Integrator Saab Australia. Their proposal is based on the F105 frigate design, which is in-service with the Spanish and Australian navies. Several Canadian engineering companies are also teamed up on this bid.
The Canadian Surface Combatant program is the largest and most complex procurement to be undertaken by the Canadian Government to date. This program intends to replace the existing frigates and the now-retired destroyers with a fleet of 15 versatile new warships. Let’s look at each of the bidders, the proposed designs, and their teams.
Activity on the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) procurement project, the “Crown Jewel” of the Government’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, is in a holding pattern while Irving reviews the bids submitted by teams for Alion, BAE and Navantia.
Does Project Resolve represent a catch-all solution for future procurement? Not likely; but it does highlight how innovative and less-restrictive processes can circumvent the inertia that has been crippling defence procurement.
After VAdm Mark Norman’s request for financial assistance was rejected by DND (which had somehow decided the vice-admiral was guilty before being charged), supporters have stepped up to help pay legal fees for his defence. An overview of the situation that brought Canada's highly respected Vice-Chief to the courthouse.
Developing a complete ship design capability in Canada, primarily to support the Canadian Government’s National Shipbuilding Strategy.
Federal Fleet Services Inc. supports military, government and humanitarian operations through the construction, ownership, servicing and management of complex, mission-critical ships.
Fleetway is an Engineering, Integrated Logistics Support and Technical Services company, providing services to Government and Industry customers since 1983.
World renowned in high-speed diesel engines, Rolls-Royce also produces integrated power and propulsion solutions for aerospace, marine, energy and off-highway applications.
Skilled engineers support the design, development and evolution of the Army's Land Command Support System and, as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, is a key systems integrator for the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard vessels.
CEO Bruce Samuelson recently spoke with FrontLine about the challenges of designing a warship and the unique skills and knowledge that Alion brings to this project.
Preparing for threats of next four decades will require next generation technologies and that includes the Infrared Search and Track system.
It’s safe to say the Canadian Patrol Frigate Program is the largest Defence project completed in Canada to date. We look at key factors that contributed to successful delivery of 12 Patrol Frigates for the RCN.
World renowned for design, construction and integration of state-of-the-art warships, as well as ship repairs and modernization, Integrated Platform Management systems, Fire Control systems, Command and Control systems, and Propulsion Plants.
Specializing in corrosion management – maintains, restores, cleans and preserves all sorts of metal products and structures, even in the most demanding environments.
Canada’s West Coast shipbuilding and ship repair Centre of Excellence, its full-service shipyards in both Vancouver and Victoria are committed to the highest customer service and safety standards, and employs more than 2600 people in the specialized marine sector.
This system of innovative piping technologies for marine systems puts people to work faster while increasing safety, ensuring reliability and maximizing efficiency.
An innovative leader in engineering and program management support across the complete platform life cycle.
President Trump is proposing a $54 Billion surge in U.S. military spending for new ships and aircraft (including fighters) in his first federal budget – while slashing big chunks from domestic programs and foreign aid to make the government "do more with less."
As a result of Canada's Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships program requirements, a team of engineers, scientists and technicians from Toronto-based Nanowave Technologies are working on innovative solutions for some of the world’s top defence and aerospace platforms and companies.
The government of Canada may select the off-the-shelf design for the Royal Canadian Navy's new frigate fleet sometime next year. A dozen companies could respond to a Request for Proposals later this year.
Seaspan Ferries has added the second of two new dual-fuelled/hybrid ferries to its fleet. Seaspan Reliant, the new state-of-the-art LNG-fuelled vessel, arrived in BC after the long voyage from Sedef Shipyard in Turkey.
The year 2016 started out with great promise. First, we had a new and invigorated government...
Is it surprisingly ironic, or sadly inevitable, that the Liberals have begun to reach too far in a quest for control? On 27 October 2016, in a clarification to previous wording, the Government of Canada forbade any private companies interested in work on the CSC project (primes or subs) from any form of public announcement or promotion without prior consent from Irving Shipbuilding. This dangerous first step must be reversed – entirely.
The Australian Navy will be acquiring new platforms and is looking closely at the “integrateability” of those new platforms with Army, Air Force – and space capabilities as well.
DCNS will be working with Australia to ensure an evolving and integrated approach for the build and the sustainment of the submarine.
A look at Australia’s final choice to build a new class of advanced-capability diesel/electric-powered submarines. Innovative collaboration is changing the way major procurements are benefitting both buyer and seller.
For those who thought Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) was dead, its time to wake up to the fact that submarine numbers worldwide have increased by some 100 boats over the past decade.
As Canada seeks to redefine its role in world affairs, perhaps it’s time to look at new alternatives to the way Canada can respond in the humanitarian role.
Canada is not alone in suffering serious naval equipment design and procurement problems. The list of dilemmas that effect naval procurement around the world is long and varied.
The RCN has identified a clear need for new boats with tactical capabilities, here's why.
Who's Where, Defence Industry Notes; new Nortrax facility; GE to power Japan's Aegis destroyers.
Does the name change to the National Shipbuilding Strategy signal a shift from the “longer timeframe for less capability and more cost” scenario the NSPS is being criticized for?
Do Canadians know how vulnerable the submarine fiber-optic cables are, and should we protect this critical infrastructure?
Leaders think in terms of logistics, but the operational enablers often fall victim to pointy-end procurement programs.
A clear illustration of how the NSPS for CSC has gone overboard in complexity, lacks transparency, and involves a process that puts contenders’ IP at risk.
Does Canada need to retain this capability, and how many ships do we really need?
A world leader in naval defence, and an innovator in the energy sector, DCNS delivers innovative solutions for integrated warships.
Fincantieri is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups and number one by diversification and innovation.
With now more than 900 highly skilled and experienced Canadian employees, Lockheed has been providing innovative solutions to the Canadian Armed Forces for decades.
Specializing in semi-custom vessel solutions, Rosborough Boats' new RHIB is designed precisely for Canada's Multi-Role missions.
One of the world's leading naval system providers, TKMS is acknowledged for superior technological excellence, reliability and longevity.
An in-depth update of the NSPS, particularly as it relates to Canada's new Surface Combatants program.
Based on Prime Minister Trudeau’s clear mandates to his new Cabinet ministers, the government is clearly ready to think outside the box when it comes to Defence Procurement.
The 21st century has been called a maritime century, but Canadians don’t see themselves as a maritime nation. Many factors impact the existing and future maritime capability, and can often have unforeseen consequences.
With the release of the RFRE, the CSC procurement process has begun to move. FrontLine looks at Warship Designers that are potential contenders for the lucrative contract.
The $35B National Ship Procurement Strategy (NSPS) was first announced in June 2010 following several failed high profile procurement projects – notably the Joint Support Ship (JSS) in 2008, and perceived challenges in delivering a successful Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) project. Initiated with great optimism, FrontLine looks at its progression so far.
L-3 communications is a global leader in the provision of platform and C2 systems integration and electronics for surface ships and submarines, as well as In-Service Support capability.
ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems offers design, project management, and a broad range of technology transfer expertise built uopn a long and successful track record of German naval engineering excellence.
The Canadian Surface Combatant project is steadily progressing towards choosing a platform designer and a Combat System Integrator. A modern warship is one of the most complex human-engineered systems on and there are many challenges involved in integrating such a complex system of increasingly complex systems.
Getting many new ship builds underway through cooperation with key government departments, managing operations with reduced fleets, finding innovative ways to train enough new recruits, and the daunting task of overhauling navy culture, are all key priorities on the Admiral’s plate.
The National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy is aimed at to rejuvenating Canada's shipbuilding industry by reversing its headlong thrust into irrelevance.
The French frigate replacement program has strong similarities to key aspects of Canada's CSC program.
A look at options for replacing auxiliary oiler replenishment ships.
How Canada builds new destroyers could determine success or failure of National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy.
With new ships on the horizon, Mari-Tech 2013 marine technical conference was the right place at the right time.
The new Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, has taken the wheel during a time of renewed fiscal restraint. How will these priorities affect readiness throughout the fleet?
Looking into the present and future of Naval capabilities and technologies.
With French battleship Aquitaine on her shakedown cruise, the French Navy visits Halifax.
Would multi-purpose vessels be more cost-effective than an Icebreaker and Patrol Ships?
The new emphasis on Security being recognized and supported by the Canadian Government has had a reinforcing effect on the Navy. After decades of downsizing, the Navy is building and diversifying to cover a wide range of security and policing roles on our coasts.
There is a growing emphasis to extract the maximum performance from existing shipboard sensors and weapons, as the threat evolves, technology advances and the cost to replace them become prohibitive.
Because Canadians no longer live in a “fire-proof house” perhaps now might be the right occasion to pay heed to the words of Liddell Hart: “A self contained and sea-based amphibious force is the best kind of fire extinguisher because of its flexibility, reliability, logistics simplicity and relative economy.”
''The little ship that could'' is enjoying a renaissance in the global naval community. Will corvettes brave the North Atlantic once again?
The Department of National Defence has a $3-billion plan to upgrade its frigates. Bu the mid-life refit and modernizations has been pushed back by funding shortfalls to the point where the oldest vessels of the class are not scheduled to begin their nine-month facelift until 2011.
It has been the fullest two years of Canadian naval activity since the end of the Korean War, and the lessons are legion.
The C-295 as a cost-effective means of securing borders and protecting resources. The basic design has been improved to make it a multi-role aircraft, such as for transport of freight, medevac and paratroops.
Before his recent retirement as Canada’s Defence Attaché in Japan, Capt(N) B.R. Brown interviewed the Chairman of Japan’s Joint Staff Council, Admiral Ishikawa, about his plan of action.