Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company has selected Cascade Aerospace Inc. to provide aircraft maintenance, engineering, modification, and support services for Canada’s new fleet of 17 CC-130J Super Hercules Tactical Lift aircraft.

Under the contract Cascade will conduct third line maintenance (also known as heavy maintenance) and modifications on Canada’s CC-130J fleet at Cascade’s Abbotsford, BC headquarters, as well as provide technical and maintenance support at 8 Wing Trenton, ON, DND’s main CC-130 operational base. Key subcontractor Marshall Aerospace Canada, a subsidiary of world-leading C-130 expert Marshall Aerospace, will provide engineering support for the new fleet.

Kongsberg Gruppen, a Norwegian-based company will open a new, $50-million military weapons facility in London Ontario. 

Present for the announcement was Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who welcomed the company along with Tony Clement, Minister of Industry; Ed Holder, Member of Parliament for London West, and Anne Marie DiCicco-Best, Mayor of London.
“Our Government’s number one priority is jobs and growth,” said Prime Minister Harper. “Kongsberg will bring both to London. In particular, this company brings the kind of knowledge-intensive jobs on which the highly-developed economy of the future will be based.” 

Although the Norwegian firm received no federal or provincial incentives to locate in London, Harper credited his government’s economic policies for making Canada more competitive and attracting foreign investment from companies like Kongsberg. 

Kongsberg’s new investment in Canada is related to a new product within the Protector family of products. Kongsberg has identified a need to develop a product with a larger remotely-operated turret containing a 25-50 mm cannon. Kongsberg expects to do key aspects of product development in Canada, including research and development, design, and manufacturing. 

Kongsberg Defence Corporate will initially employ approximately 30 people when it opens in the first quarter of 2011. According to Kongsberg, up to 100 employees will be engaged when it is fully operational, and up to 500 new positions could be created through sub-supplier activity. 

The Boeing Company has delivered the 79th upgraded CF-18 Hornet aircraft to the Canadian Department of National Defence. The ceremony marking the on-time completion of phase 2 of the CF-18 Modernization Program was held March 26, 2010 at L-3 Communications MAS where final upgrade installations were performed. Lieutenant-General A. Deschamps , Chief of the Air Staff and senior executives from Boeing and L-3 Communications MAS attended the event, which brings the nine-year, two-phased CF-18 Modernization Project to a close.

Phase 1 of the project, completed in 2006, upgraded the Canadian Hornet fleet’s avionics, radar, radio and weapons capabilities. Phase 2 provided the following improvements:
• a data link system to ensure Canadian forces are interoperable with aircraft from the United States and other allied nations
• the Boeing Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System to improve weapons targeting
• new color cockpit displays to increase situational awareness
• an upgraded, chaff-and-flare dispensing electronic warfare system to improve survivability. 

Photo: Fom left to right:
• Michel Potvin, Vice President, Aircraft Modification and Integration, L-3 Communications MAS
• Sylvain Bédard, President, L-3 Communications MAS
• James W. (Jim) O’Neill, Vice President and General Manager, Integrated Logistics, Global Services and Support at Boeing Defence, Space and Security
• Lieutenant-General A. Deschamps, Chief of the Air Staff, Department of National Defence (DND)

Lockheed Martin has announced more than $1.5 billion in approved industrial benefits projects with Canadian companies associated with the country’s purchase of and subsequent maintenance and support of 17 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft over the next six-and-a-half years. This amount will increase over the life of the program to $2.3 billion in industrial benefits to Canada as required by the contract.

Of this $1.5 billion, Lockheed Martin has approved projects with companies throughout Quebec valued at more than $619 million, including:

• CAE will provide maintenance simulators and training devices, courseware and services for international C-130J customers through several projects valued at more than $374 million.

• Rolls Royce Canada will increase the type and level of repair on various engine components in a project valued at more than $87 million,

• Heroux Devtek will provide landing gear assemblies, spares and repair for the Airlift Capability Project - Tactical and other C-130J customers through several projects valued at more than $25 million.

• MacDonald Dettwiler may provide satellite technologies in the Orion project potentially valued at more than $25 million.

• CEL Aerospace will provide design, development, production, installation and modification of aircraft engine test cells and test cell equipment for new customers valued at more than $14 million.

• CMC Electronics will provide engineering and manufacturing for the C-130J Global Position System through a $2 million project.

• Avro Tools will provide aerospace tools and accessories valued at $2 million

• L-3 MAS will manufacture P-3 detail parts and assemblies valued at over $43 million project.

The Industrial Regional Benefits for Ontario, Atlantic Canada and Western Canada are being announced at events in those regions.

Curtiss-Wright Corporation has received a $1.17 million contract from MDA, Richmond, BC, Canada, to provide High Altitude Rugged Storage Systems on the Canadian Forces Air Command’s CP-140 maritime patrol aircraft. Curtiss-Wright will provide MDA with its SANbric SAN (storage area network) storage system.

“Curtiss-Wright is excited to supply MDA with our high density rugged storage technology for the CP-140 maritime patrol aircraft,” said David Adams, co-chief operating officer of Curtiss-Wright Corporation.

The Government of Canada has awarded CAE a contract valued at approximately C$250 million for a comprehensive CH147F Chinook helicopter aircrew training solution.

The contract was awarded under the program called the Operational Training Systems Provider (OTSP) and is in support of Canada's new fleet of 15 CH147F Chinook medium-to-heavy lift helicopters.

"We are honored to lead the overall design and development of a CH147F aircrew training capability that will ultimately play a key role in helping prepare our Canadian Forces for mission success," said Marc Parent, CAE's President and CEO. "The Operational Training Systems Provider program is designed to provide numerous benefits to the Government of Canada, including state-of-the-art technologies delivered in an efficient, cost-effective and holistic approach to aircrew training. The OTSP program here in Canada is a model for the international defence market in demonstrating the benefits and efficiencies that a training systems integrator such as CAE can deliver."

The contract related to CH147F training systems and services is divided into two phases. First, during the acquisition phase, CAE will lead the design and development of a CH147F training suite. It will include one weapon system trainer (WST), one tactical flight training device (TFTD), one deployable TFTD, one integrated gunnery trainer, laptop and desktop-based CAE Simfinity virtual simulators (VSIM), and courseware. In addition, CAE will be leveraging technologies and capabilities such as the training management information system, tactical control centre, and common databases across both the C-130J and CH147F aircrew training programs.

Oshkosh Defense and General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada have finalized an agreement that will team the two companies in pursuit of two Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) wheeled vehicle programs, the Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) and the Standard Military Pattern (SMP) portion of the Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS).

The TAPV program will replace the Armoured Patrol Vehicle (APV) and the Coyote reconnaissance vehicle, and the MSVS program will replace the Medium Logistics truck fleet. The new programs will enhance the capabilities of the Canadian Forces with protected, high-performance vehicle fleets.

“We couldn’t be happier that we are teamed with General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, a proven leader in designing and supporting Canadian land systems,” said Ron Ziebell, vice president and general manager, International Programs, Oshkosh Defense. “The superior offerings we can provide with General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada made our cooperation the obvious choice as we considered how best to serve the DND soldiers. General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada has a significant Canadian presence, which will allow for localized, Canada-based sustainment of these two programs in our effort to provide true complete lifecycle support of these programs.” 

“Oshkosh Defense vehicle platforms have proven, world-class performance capabilities and they push the engineering envelope to deliver the best tactical wheeled vehicle fleets in the field,” said Dr. Sridhar Sridharan, senior vice-president of General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada. “We are pleased to be working with a company that can help deliver the survivable, off-road capable and technologically advanced vehicles that the Canadian Forces need for both the MSVS and TAPV.”

Lockheed Martin has announced more than $1.5 billion in approved industrial benefits projects with Canadian companies associated with the country’s purchase of and subsequent maintenance and support of 17 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft over the next six-and-a-half years. This amount will increase over the life of the program to $2.3 billion in industrial benefits to Canada as required by the contract. 

Of this $1.5 billion, Lockheed Martin thus far has approved projects with companies throughout Ontario valued at more than $307 million, including:
• Cyclone Manufacturing will manufacture P-3 detail parts and assemblies valued at over $22 million.
• DRS Technologies projects valued at more than $58 million.
• EMS Technologies will provide satellite communications technologies in a project valued at more than $15 million.
• Safran Electronics will provide propeller de-icer timer unit (DITU) for Canadian and international C-130J aircraft valued at more than $3 million.
• Honeywell will provide temperature control sensors for Canadian and international C-130J aircraft and F-22 IECS components/ spares through a $14.7 million project.
• Noranco Manufacturing will manufacture P-3 detail parts and assemblies through a $7.5 million project.
• Northstar Aerospace will produce gearboxes for the Trent 1000 Engine through a $60 million project.
• Telesat will provide satellite control center interface services in a project valued at more than $43 million.

The balance of the IRB contracts will be announced in the near future. 

The Industrial Regional Benefits for the Quebec, Atlantic and Western regions, representing the balance of the $1.5 billion, will be announced at subsequent events in those regions.

Lockheed Martin also announced the team of Canadian companies that will provide maintenance and support for Canada’s new CC 130J fleet. The initial in-service support (ISS) contract period is for six-and-a-half years from contract award in December 2009 to June 30, 2016.
Canada’s CC-130J In-Service Support Team includes:

In June 2006, the Government announced its plan to acquire 17 new tactical lift aircraft to revitalize the Canadian Forces’ current tactical airlift capabilities. The Canadian Forces will welcome its first CC-130J Hercules tactical aircraft into service in June 2010, six months ahead of the original scheduled delivery. The lifeline of deployed forces, tactical airlift is used to transport equipment, troops, and supplies to, within, and from a theatre of operation.

The familiar CC-130 Hercules is a mainstay of the Canadian Forces’ transport fleet. This rugged and versatile aircraft has served the Canadian Forces since the early 1960s. Renewing the tactical airlift fleet is a priority of the Government of Canada, as part of the Canada First Defence Strategy, and its commitment to a modernized and strengthened Canadian Forces, enabling troops to conduct safer and more effective operations at home and abroad. 

Acquiring and Sustaining the CC-130J Hercules fleet
Following the announcement by Government to procure new tactical aircraft, a solicitation of interest and qualification was used to ensure a fair, open, and transparent procurement process. The contract to purchase 17 C-130J Hercules aircraft was awarded to Lockheed Martin Corporation, in December 2007, with an approximate value of USD $1.4 billion. As a result of successful negotiations, the Canadian Forces will welcome its first two C-130J Hercules into its fleet beginning in June – six months earlier than originally expected. The remaining aircraft will begin delivery later in 2010 as planned.
In January 2010, the Government of Canada announced that it signed a $723 million contract amendment with Lockheed Martin Corporation for in-service support to maintain the new fleet, for a period ending June 30, 2016. The amendment also includes mechanisms to extend this maintenance support for the full life cycle of the aircraft, ensuring Canada can maintain its tactical airlift capability.

A supersonic Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter rode more than 41,000 pounds of thrust to a vertical landing for the first time on March 18, 2010, confirming its required ability to land in confined areas both ashore and afloat.

"Today's vertical landing onto a 95-foot square pad showed that we have the thrust and the control to maneuver accurately both in free air and in the descent through ground effect," said F-35 Lead STOVL Pilot Graham Tomlinson.

Tomlinson performed an 80-knot (93 miles per hour) short takeoff from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. About 13 minutes into the flight, he positioned the aircraft 150 feet above the airfield, where he commanded the F-35 to hover for approximately one minute then descend to the runway.