Presagis Lyra Sensors along with other Presagis tools were delivered as part of a Boeing-developed solution for the United States Air Force F-15C Eagle tactical fighter training program. In November 2009, Boeing fielded the four F-15C Visual Systems Trainers.

Presagis Lyra and Lyra Sensors COTS Visual Runtime software were integrated into the training system to provide realistic out-the-window, infrared sensor, and night vision goggle views for the fighter jet scenarios. The Presagis Technical Services team also supported the development of the simulator’s Visual Database.

Presagis Lyra, a multichannel visualization system delivering 60-hertz image generation out-of-the box, provides out-the-window scenes with complex weather and environmental special effects. Lyra Sensors provides simulated views from the aircraft’s infrared sensors as well as accurately replicating the pilot’s night vision goggles system. The solution operates on multiple hardware and operating system platforms, and utilizes two host simulation interfaces, CIGI and FlightICD, to maximize compatibility with existing simulators.

Thales Communications, Inc. has been awarded two contracts by the Joint Program Executive Office Joint Tactical Radio System (JPEO JTRS) to provide Cradle Vehicle Adapters (CVAs) for the U.S. Marine Corps. Under these contracts, Thales will deliver 11,000 50-Watt CVAs to the Marine Corps for use with previously-purchased Thales AN/PRC-148 JTRS-approved radios. These contracts were awarded under the Consolidated, Interim, Single-Channel Handheld Radio (CISCHR) contract.

The 50-Watt CVA combines the functionality of Thales’ battle-proven AN/PRC-148 JEM (JTRS Enhanced MBITR) handheld radio set with a high-powered vehicle amplifier, providing 50 Watts of RF power output from 30 to 88 MHz and 20 Watts of RF power output from 88 to 512 MHz. A compact, rugged unit with a low-profile form factor and total weight of 16 pounds, the CVA can be easily integrated into space constrained land, air, and sea-based platforms. The CVA has the unique capability of remoting the radio separate from the amplifier to reduce the operational profile and, like the company’s other vehicle mount units, allows cable-free, two-second radio dismount, providing users with a fully-charged and immediately-operational handheld radio upon dismount.

A Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle has been launched by the US from Beale Air Force Base to assist with the humanitarian aid mission in Haiti after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that shook the country on Jan. 12.

The Global Hawk's advanced imagery will provide an overall assessment of the damages, and will also help expeditiously direct aircrew flying into Haiti to deliver crucial supplies to those affected by the earthquake.

"(The imagery) will help to characterize what regions of the country were hit hardest by the earthquake, and we can provide that imagery to our intelligence unit on base," said Lt. Col. Mark Lozier, operations officer with the 12th RS. "They'll exploit the imagery and send it back to the requesting end user. In effect, you get to look at what we know is damaged, and what we know is still serviceable. We can take a look at airfields to assess, right now, whether or not we will be able to get airlift in there with aid. We don't have to wait for a ground team to get in there and make on site decisions."

Alenia North America, a subsidiary of Alenia Aeronautica, delivered the third Afghan National Army Air Corps (ANAAC) C-27/G.222 aircraft to the United States Air Force. Following the December 2009 delivery at Alenia's Capodichino facility near Naples, the aircraft was deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan. There are currently three program aircraft deployed and in theater flying with the Combined Air Power Transition Force (CAPTF).

Full scale production and refurbishment continues at Capodichino with ten aircraft in modernization. All modernization for the 18 C-27/G.222 program aircraft is being carried out at the Capodichino plant where the original assembly of the C-27/G.222 aircraft was performed.

DEW Engineering and Development ULC recently received a $39.5M purchase order from General Dynamics Land Systems Canada to provide ceramic composite hull armour kits for 352 Stryker armoured vehicles. Since 2003, DEW has been the exclusive supplier of the ceramic composite armour system for the United States Stryker program. Deliveries are expected to start in February 2010.

A Canadian soldier sustained a non life-threatening gunshot wound during a live-fire training exercise at the National Training Centre (NTC) at Fort Irwin, California on January 13th, 2010.

The soldier was evacuated by air to hospital facilities at Fort Irwin and subsequently transferred to a local medical facility for further treatment, accompanied by a Canadian Doctor.

The incident is under investigation by both Canadian and U.S. Military authorities.

The Government of Canada signed a contract amendment valued at $723 million with Lockheed Martin on December 18, 2009 for a support package on the C-130J Hercules. The contract is for an initial period ending June 30, 2016, and also includes a mechanism to extend the period of in-service support until the end of life expectancy of the C-130J fleet.

“The support contract is in line with the government’s Canada First Defence Strategy to provide the men and women of the Canadian Forces with the tools they need to do the jobs asked of them,” said Minister MacKay. “These aircraft will enable our Canadian Forces personnel to conduct more effective operations, at home and abroad.” 

In addition, this support package for the C-130 Hercules will result in high-value work for Canada’s defence industry through Industrial Regional Benefits (IRBs).

Esterline CMC Electronics has announced the following executive appointments which came into effect on January 4, 2010.

"We are implementing a new organizational structure to address the market environment, leverage our expertise in cockpit systems integration and avionics, and continue to effectively grow the company," stated CMC President, Greg Yeldon. 

Patrick Champagne has been appointed Vice President, Cockpits and Systems Integration, a new business unit that has been created to build on the company's cockpit systems expertise and define the next generation of cockpit systems requirements, across military and commercial markets. Mr. Champagne previously held the position of Vice President, Engineering, at CMC. 

James Palmer has been appointed Vice President, Aviation Products, a new business unit that has been established to leverage CMC's capabilities and develop new and next-generation aviation products for both commercial and military applications. Mr. Palmer will continue to be responsible for Commercial Services and Customer Support.

Jean-Michel Comtois has been appointed Vice President of Marketing and Sales, a single, integrated organization that is focused on effectively growing the company's commercial and military aviation business. Mr. Comtois previously held the position of Vice President, Military Aviation, at CMC.

Meggitt Training Systems Canada Inc. and A.F. Theriault & Sons Ltd. announced the successful construction of the 50th Hammerhead USV-T, an unmanned surface vehicle target, used to provide training solutions for military agencies in Canada and around the world, on December 19, 2009.

A.F. Theriault & Sons, one of the largest shipyards in Atlantic Canada, celebrated this milestone with a live water demo of the Hammerhead USV-T boat.

“It’s been great working with A.F. Theriault & Sons over the past five years,” said Spencer Fraser, general manager of Meggitt Training Systems Canada Inc. “Their boat building expertise has helped us accomplish our goals.”
The contract, awarded to the shipyard in 2005, requires the two companies to build a remote controlled target boat that can reach speeds of over 40 kilometers per hour to simulate a fast inshore attack craft for military training scenarios. The shipyard is responsible for building the Hammerhead USV-T boats in Digby, with MTSC later adding the necessary avionics in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

General Kinetics Engineering Corporation (GKE) of Brampton, Ontario announced that on December 29, 2009, it completed a transaction to buy Active Shock, Inc. (ASI), from its founders.

The combination of GKE and ASI creates a supplier with a broad range of damping systems for vehicle and seating applications. The joint product portfolio positions GKE to respond to customers seeking ride control solutions that improve performance within the "iron triangle" of Payload, Protection and Performance, whether for new platforms or for upgrades to the legacy fleet.

"The acquisition of Active Shock makes a great deal of sense for us", said Chuck Williamson, President of General Kinetics. "The Active Shock system expands our product line to include a proven, high performance ride control solution. Many of our customers are searching for advanced damping and ride height control solutions to achieve mobility targets, deal with variable armor configurations, reduce life cycle costs and improve operator safety, and we can now provide the resolution to many of these problems." "In addition, ASI establishes a US base for Business Development, allowing us to improve our already high standard of customer service while remaining ITAR-compliant."