Cascade Aerospace Inc. has been awarded a contract by CAE Inc. to design and manufacture a turnkey C-130J fuselage trainer for Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND). This new training device will provide the Air Force Loadmasters (aircrew) with the ability to efficiently and effectively load Canada’s incoming fleet of 17 new C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlift aircraft.

The Canadian government has awarded Boeing Company a US$1.15 billion contract for 15 new CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. Under the contract, Boeing will match Canada's purchase price by executing contracts and investments of equal value with Canadian industry.

“This is a win-win for Canada and The Boeing Company,” said Mark Kronenberg, vice president of International Business Development for Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. “Boeing seeks to partner with the very best of industry, and as a result, we continue to make a significant commitment to Canadian industry. This new contract has created opportunities for new partnerships to further grow our already large supplier base in Canada.”

Acron Capability Engineering Inc has been selected by Flight-Dynamix of Dahlonega, Georgia, to assist with integrating their F-16 jet fighter simulator into the United States Air Force HARM (High-speed Anti Radiation Missile) test-bed system. The simulator will conform to the F-16 CJ (Wild Weasel) configuration and be integrated with the existing hardware-in-the-loop computer system.

General Dynamics Canada has signed on as a sponsor of the Canada Army Run.
Established in 2008, the Canada Army Run is a unique sporting event that brings together military and civilian participants to raise awareness and funding for key Canadian Forces morale and welfare programs.

“Like all Canadians, GD Canada employees are inspired and motivated by the courage, grit and determination Canadian Forces personnel bring to the job every day,” said David Ibbetson, general manager of General Dynamics Canada. “Sponsoring the Canada Army Run is a perfect opportunity to further demonstrate our appreciation for the important work they do, and I look forward to personally lacing up my shoes alongside a team of GD Canada employees to show our support.”

This year’s Canada Army Run takes place on Sunday, September 20, 2009. All proceeds benefit two programs: the Military Families Fund – a national fund designed to help military families in need; and Soldier On – an integration support program that helps injured and ill members of the Canadian Forces re-engage through activity and sport.

For more information or to register, visit www.armyrun.ca.

Halifax Shipyard is growing its workforce for major projects including the mid-life modernization of seven HALIFAX-class frigates for the Canadian Navy. The yard is currently in the process of hiring management and technical positions and expects to more than double its staff levels by the end of this year.

Lockheed Martin Canada officially opened its new Maritime Advanced Training and Test Site (MATTS) in the Highfield Industrial Park in Dartmouth, NS. MATTS will support the company’s role as prime contractor for the Combat Systems Integration (CSI) modernization of the Canadian Navy s Halifax-class frigates.

Boeing recently unveiled the first of 24 F/A-18F Block II Super Hornets for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during a ceremony at Boeing Integrated Defense Systems' production facilities in St. Louis. The aircraft will be delivered three months ahead of schedule. “The Super Hornet is on its way to delivering advanced combat capabilities to the Royal Australian Air Force,” said Bob Gower, Boeing vice president of F/A-18 and EA-18 Programs. “Cooperation and great teamwork on the part of Australia’s Defence Materiel Organisation, the Royal Australian Air Force, the U.S. Navy and the Hornet Industry Team have enabled the first RAAF Super Hornet to be delivered within budget and ahead of schedule.”

In a formal ceremony held at its Toronto Pearson airport facilities, Field Aviation delivered a highly modified Dash 8 Q300 Maritime Surveillance aircraft to the Icelandic Coast Guard. The event, which attracted more than 150 invited guests, included Iceland’s Ambassador to Canada, Her Excellency Ms. Sigridur Anna Thordardottir and Georg Larusson, director general of the Icelandic Coast Guard.

The event was also attended by Mr. K. C. Maple, a Canadian who, in an attempt to sail the North Atlantic to Norway from Canada in 2004, encountered a violent storm off the coast of Iceland and in 16-foot seas was rescued by an Icelandic Coast Guard Super Puma helicopter. Mr. Maple was reunited with Lieutenant Commander Audunn Krsitinsson who pulled him to safety during that heroic rescue mission.

Thales has announced an agreement with Lockheed Martin for the delivery of 13 Smart-S Mk2 surveillance radars. These radars will be installed on the Canadian Patrol Frigates as part of the Halifax Class Modernization Program. Delivery will begin in Summer 2010 and be complete in 2015. All radars are scheduled to be at sea and fully operational in 2017 when the Halifax Modernization Program will be completed.

Magellan Aerospace announced the award of multi-year buys of complex machined titanium components for all three variants of the F-35 Lightening II aircraft — the Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL), the Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) and the Carrier Variant (CV).