A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held to mark the official opening of a new CANEX store in Ottawa. The Chief Military Personnel, Major-General Walter Semianiw, will preside over the ceremony which will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 19, 2010 at 4210 Labelle St., Ottawa.

The 11,000-square-foot retail outlet located near St. Laurent Shopping Centre will sell brand-name clothing, furniture, appliances and electronics. It will be the only CANEX of its kind in the National Capital Region. 

The proceeds from CANEX (Canadian Forces Exchange System) stores and concessions are used to finance a wide variety of social and recreational programs for the benefit of military personnel and their families.

An Aurora CP140 aircraft recently arrived in Canada equipped with a new Data Management System (DMS), Acoustic Suite subsystem, Integrated Mission System and reconfigurable crew stations integrated by General Dynamics Canada. Part of the Aurora Incremental Modernization Project (AIMP), the prototype Block III, CP140 will enhance the operational effectiveness of long-range patrol aircraft used by Canadian Forces.

The arrival of the AIMP Block III prototype in Canada marks an achievement for the project and its industry partners. The integrated mission system developed by General Dynamics Canada, along with world-class sensors, will equip Canada’s Aurora aircraft with the necessary surveillance capabilities for enhanced domestic and international missions. It is the first fully modernized AIMP aircraft to proceed to full-scale acceptance testing.

The Federal Government has granted funding to the Canadian Space Agency in its 2010 federal budget for the completion of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission. 

The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) stated, “This will ensure that Canada maintains its standing as a world leader in supplying high-quality, low-cost and innovative satellite systems, and demonstrates the government's understanding of the important role that Space technologies can play in meeting its priorities is very positive for the industry.” 

Tim Page, President of the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI), released a Report on Military Procurement focused on providing concrete steps to improve Canada’s military procurement process.

In the report, commissioned by the federal Ministers of Industry, National Defence and Public Works and Government Services Canada, CADSI calls on the Government to urgently adopt a series of recommendations to enable effective spending on defence at a time when every dollar counts. 

The CADSI report makes a clear and direct connection between defence spending and the Canadian economy. Its recommendations call for the creation of a defence industrial strategy, improvements to the procurement process and governance issues. If and when adopted, these recommendations would improve program delivery, government efficiency and stimulate high-value jobs, technology innovation, export opportunities and wealth creation in Canada. 



The report provides clear proposals to get Canadian troops the right equipment they need while creating high-value jobs in Canada and building domestic industrial capability and capacity for the future. The recommendations also serve to strengthen Canadian security and sovereignty, while ensuring better outcomes and greater efficiencies in the procurement process. 

 


U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada a USD$41.5 million delivery order modification for spare parts in support of RG-31 Mk5E vehicles under the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle program.

These parts will be used to support vehicles that are being manufactured under a delivery order awarded to General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada on February 17, 2010, for 250 RG-31 Mk5E vehicles for the MRAP program. In total, 1,652 RG-31 vehicles have been ordered under the MRAP program.

Pacific Safety Products Inc. has entered into a non-binding letter of intent with a third party for the sale of the company. During an exclusivity period the third party will complete a due diligence review and the parties will endeavor to negotiate a definitive merger agreement. 

Northrop Grumman Corporation's RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system (UAS) made aviation history Feb. 2 when it successfully completed its first roundtrip flight from the company's Palmdale, Calif., manufacturing facility. AF-20, a Block 30 Global Hawk built for the U.S. Air Force, performed the historic mission, soaring at altitudes of 58,300 feet for approximately four hours and 18 minutes.

"This was the first time ever that the same Global Hawk has taken off and landed in a single mission from Palmdale, heralding a new era of flights in and out of the facility," said George Guerra, Northrop Grumman vice president of High-Altitude, Long-Endurance systems. "It's also a huge leap forward for the site as we achieve full production acceptance activities and direct deliveries to the aircraft's main operating base at Beale Air Force Base, Calif."

AF-20 is the eighth consecutive production Global Hawk to complete its operational check flight on the first attempt. The mission also marked the first time the sixth Air Force mission control element and a King Air chase aircraft were utilized.

The first Lockheed Martin CC-130J Super Hercules for Canada completed its first flight, March 3, 2010. The aircraft is the first of 17 CC-130Js and will be delivered in summer 2010. Deliveries will be completed through 2012.

The CC-130J Super Hercules will give Canada increased airlift capability with an aircraft that has greater range, power and reliability over previous C-130 models. Canada is one of 12 countries that have now ordered the Super Hercules, in demand worldwide thanks to its mission flexibility and capability.

Pratt & Whitney Canada's Customer Service Centre (CSC) Europe GmbH, a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney Canada and MTU Aero Engines, has signed a Fleet Management ProgramTM (FMP(R)) agreement with Eurocopter U.K. Ltd. to provide comprehensive maintenance support for six PW206B2-powered EC135 helicopters operated by various United Kingdom Police Air Support Units. Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) is a United Technologies Corp. company.

"Superior lifecycle cost benefits offered by P&WC Customer Service Centre Europe, as well as the long-lasting and smooth interface in the support plan with Eurocopter U.K., led the U.K. Police Air Support Units' decision to proceed with the long-term agreement," said Clemens Linden, general manager of P&WC CSC Europe GmbH.

In advance of Transport Canada certification, the first new-production DHC-6 Series 400 Twin Otter has taken its initial flight from Viking’s final assembly facility in Calgary, Alberta.

Aircraft, manufacturers serial number (MSN) 845, Canadian registration C-FMJO is the first new production Twin Otter since de Havilland Canada ended production in 1988 with the delivery of MSN 844. Sold to launch customer Zimex Aviation of Switzerland, MSN 845 is equipped with Honeywell’s Apex IFR digital flight deck, including FDR & CVR and configured with a commuter interior, the aircraft is to be used throughout North Africa servicing the oil and gas industry.

Steve Stackhouse, Manager of Flight Operations, along with Viking President and CEO David Curtis, piloted the aircraft on the initial flight. “This is a significant milestone, not only for Viking and our entire team, but also for our many customers,” commented David Curtis. “Flying the first new Twin Otter in 22 years is the culmination of many months of hard work and determination by our staff and supply chain partners.”