Armée canadienne/Canadian Armed Forces

Rappel du premier message :

F-35 vs Typhoon vs SH

Citation :

Aviation royale canadienne

C'est mercredi! Parlons #hélicoptères ...

C'est une première! Un Chinook CH-147F soulève un Véhicule logistique moyen à roues pendant des tests du 450 Escadron d'hélicoptère tactique
de charges sous élingue pour le Chinook, utilisant une technique de charge sous élingue en tandem, une manoeuvre exécutée pour la toute première
fois à la BFC de Petawawa, le 4 mars, 2014.


Photo : Cpl Mark Schombs  

Citation :

1erR22eR (1er Bataillon Royal 22e Régiment)

EX CASTOR HUMIDE

  

PHOTOS:

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DCNS en lice pour fournir une frégate au Canada
     
Paris, 23 mai 2014 (AFP) -

Le constructeur naval français DCNS a annoncé vendredi l'ouverture d'une filiale au Canada afin d'y vendre sa frégate multi-mission Fremm.

Cette filiale, DCNS Technologies Canada, basée à Ottawa, sera en charge de la conception de la version canadienne de la frégate Fremm, afin de répondre à un appel d'offres de la marine canadienne, indiquent les chantiers navals dans un communiqué.

Les frégates Fremm ont été développées pour les marines françaises et italienne pour mener à bien des missions de lutte anti-sous-marine, anti-surface, de défense aérienne et d'action contre la terre. D'un tonnage de 6 000 tonnes pour une longueur de 142 m, la frégate française (de la classe Aquitaine) compte un équipage de 108 marins.

DCNS en a livré une au Maroc. D'après son PDG, Patrick Boissier, elle intéresse le Canada, le Brésil et des pays du Moyen-Orient.

DCNS explique proposer un partenariat stratégique à l'industrie navale canadienne, qui répond "au plus vaste programme d'armement de l'histoire du pays, évalué à 35 milliards de dollars" (257 milliards d'euros). Le groupe entend aussi développer sa présence au Canada dans le secteur civil des énergies renouvelables.

DCNS est contrôlé à 35% par le groupe d'électronique et de défense Thales, l'Etat détenant le reste du capital.

THALES

http://www.marine-oceans.com/actualites-afp/7959-dcns-en-lice-pour-fournir-une-fregate-au-canada  

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Airbus Teams with Provincial Aerospace for Fixed-Wing SAR project

Airbus Defence and Space and Provincial Aerospace (PAL) announced today they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to bid for Canada’s fixed-wing search and rescue (FWSAR) project.

Provincial Aerospace is a fully integrated international aerospace and defence company headquartered in St. John’s, NL, Canada. Under the MOU, Provincial Aerospace will provide in-service support (ISS) and other expertise for the fleet of C295 aircraft being offered by Airbus Defence and Space to replace Canada’s aging CC-115 Buffalo and CC-130 aircraft currently being used for search and rescue duties.

Antonio R. Barberán, Head of Commercial for Military Aircraft, Airbus Defence and Space, said: “Provincial Aerospace’s proven in-service support capabilities and world-class expertise as an integrator of advanced technology systems make it a very strong addition to our C295 team. The C295 is the world leader in military search and rescue, maritime patrol and medium transport with over 130 aircraft sold in 19 countries. Together with our Canadian partners, we are offering a proven, reliable and low-risk solution to Canada’s fixed-wing SAR needs.”

Keith Stoodley, Senior Vice President, Business Development and Government Relations, Provincial Aerospace, added “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Airbus Defence and Space on such an important project for Canada. Like Airbus Defence and Space, we are a solutions-based organization, so we are excited to partner to propose a SAR aircraft and mission system combination that is already in operation in several countries. Moreover, Provincial Aerospace has the experience and innovative spirit to ensure the fleet of C295 SAR aircraft will continue to serve Canadians well into the future.”

Other major Canadian members of the C295 team include Pratt & Whitney Canada, CAE, L-3 Wescam, and Vector Aerospace.

About Airbus Defence and Space

Airbus Defence and Space is a division of Airbus Group formed by combining the business activities of Cassidian, Astrium and Airbus Military. The new division is Europe’s number one defence and space enterprise, the second largest space business worldwide and among the top ten global defence enterprises. It employs some 40,000 employees generating revenues of approximately €14 billion per year.

About Provincial Aerospace
Provincial Aerospace is a vertically integrated aerospace and defence company with a focus on aircraft modifications, mission systems integration, in-service support and special missions aircraft ownership and operations.

http://ottawacitizen.com

Citation :

F-35: Ottawa pressé par les industriels canadiens de passer outre la compétition

http://www.45enord.ca/2014/05/f-35-ottawa-presse-par-les-industriels-canadiens-de-passer-outre-la-competition/

Citation :

2R22eR

Dernier entrainement pour le pré-cours de tireur d'élite.

Les futurs candidats pour le cours de tireur d'élite se sont entrainés a plusieurs manœuvres a bord d'un hélicoptère griffon sur la base de
Valcartier. C'était la dernière étape d'entrainement précédant le cours

  

PHOTOS:

 

Citation :

Exclusive: Canadian review will recommend buying Lockheed F-35 fighter jet - sources


(Reuters) - Canada is poised to buy 65 Lockheed Martin Corp LMT.N F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets, sources familiar with the process told Reuters, marking a major renewal of Canada's fighter fleet and helping contain costs of the expensive defense program.

An 18-month review of Canada's fighter jet needs has concluded that the government should skip a new competition and proceed with the C$9 billion (4.8 billion pounds) purchase, three sources said.

The decision must still be finalised by Prime Minister Stephen Harper's cabinet. The government is likely to face fierce criticism from opposition politicians concerned that the contract is being awarded without an open competition. Similar concerns over sole-sourcing and costs derailed the purchase two years ago.

A spokesman for Harper's office said there was nothing to announce yet.

However, the sources said the recommendation was expected to lead to formal approval of the F-35 purchase. They said Harper and key cabinet members supported the decision.

Canada's planned purchase is the 6th-largest by a country and would further safeguard the $399 billion program. Its rising costs had sparked fears of a "death spiral," in which countries cut plane orders, driving up the price of remaining planes and triggering further cancellations. (Full Story)

The Pentagon recently estimated the average price per plane at $139 million, about twice the original estimate in 2001, but said the projected cost to operate and maintain the jets was down 9 percent from earlier estimates.

Ottawa announced in 2010 it would buy 65 jets but scrapped the decision in late 2012 after an official watchdog said Canadian officials had grossly downplayed the high cost of maintaining and operating the jets.

The Canadian government then launched a multi-agency examination to determine whether to buy the F-35 or launch a new competition. That review has found that the F-35 is the only warplane that meets the government's needs, said the sources, who were not authorized to speak publicly.

A four-member panel of outside experts set up to ensure the objectivity and impartiality of the Canadian review also is expected to give its blessing to the process in coming weeks and may make its own recommendation that Ottawa proceed with buying the F-35, said one of the sources.

ANNOUNCEMENT DUE SOON

The Canadian government has said it will make an announcement in coming weeks, around the time the Canadian Parliament is dismissed for the summer.

Public Works Minister Diane Finley declined comment on Tuesday about the timing of a decision.

“Once we have made a decision we will announce it, and the reports will be released,” she said.

The opposition New Democratic Party decried the review as secretive and designed to provide cover for the original decision to buy the plane.

"We have a public tendering process in this country, and sole-sourcing is not part of it," NDP Member of Parliament Jack Harris said. "We want a transparent process. This is not a transparent process."

The recommendation to proceed with the F-35 purchase was expected, the sources said, in part because the cost of each plane has recently declined. Other factors seen as influencing the outcome of the review was the decision by Japan, South Korea and other countries to buy the jet. Canadian firms could win up to $11 billion in potential business orders linked to the program, they said.

Canada would be the 11th country to buy the jet. It was one of the original nine partners on the F-35 program, contributing $150 million to its development costs.

One of the reports completed as part of the review showed that a new tender would take three years to complete, which would force the Canadian Air Force to spend about $20 million per plane to keep its fleet of older Boeing CF-18 "Hornets" flying, according to a source familiar with the findings.

Russia's annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine, which has created tensions with European countries, the United States and Canada, also underscored Canada's need for a fifth-generation stealth fighter, said two of the sources.

The F-35 is designed to be the next-generation fighter jet for decades to come. No other new fighters are in the pipeline and the warplane fleets of the United States and Canada are aging.

Canada's participation in the program would help Washington drive down costs, which U.S. officials say are finally heading lower after rising 70 percent over initial estimates.

The total cost of the F-35, the Pentagon's most expensive weapons program, is now estimated at $1.42 trillion, down about 6 percent from $1.50 trillion from last year, including research, development, procurement and operations through 2065.

A spokesman for the Pentagon's F-35 program office said officials were awaiting Canada's decision and understood the country's need to revisit the decision process.

But it would spell more bad news for rival bidders, including Boeing Co BA.N, which is urgently looking for orders to keep its F/A-18 production line running past 2016. Boeing argued that its fighter would be cheaper for Canada to buy and operate. The Eurofighter Typhoon and Rafale fighters, both European planes, were also in the running.

Lockheed spokesman Mike Rein said the company supports the Canadian government's process in determining the best way to replace its CF-18s.

Boeing declined to comment.

http://www.reuters.com

Citation :

Si le Canada optait pour un chasseur européen ?



Ce n’est pas un secret, le gouvernement Harper tient mordicus à l’achat du Lockheed-Martin F-35 pour le remplacement de la flotte actuelle de 65 CF-18A/B « Hornet ». Ce choix est intimement lié (soutenu) aux liens tissés avec le voisin et l’allié américain. Mais ce choix ne fait pas l’unanimité au pays de la feuille d’érable. Nous avons vu notamment les différences d’appréciation en matière de coûts, soit la plus grosse épine dans le pied dans le choix de l’avion de combat américain.

Sans les moteurs :

Il faut rappeler qu’avec ces coûts, il faut également tenir compte du supplément moteur, en effet, un contrat additionnel, doit être signé avec le motoriste Pratt & Whitney pour doter les appareils du standard moteur correspondant, soit : CRTR 6, 23 F-35A à 103 millions de dollars par appareil, tandis que 6 F-35B coûteront 109 millions de dollars chacun. Les 7 F-35C coûteront 120 de dollars millions par jet.

En ce qui concerne la CRTR7, sans l'inclusion du moteur est de 98 millions de dollars chacun pour les 24 avions de modèle F- 35A, 104 millions de dollars pour chacun des sept modèles de F- 35B et 116 millions de dollars par avion pour quatre avions F-35C.

L’industrie bâillonnée :

Mais il y a un autre problème dans le choix du F-35, et qui concerne la nouvelle stratégie d'approvisionnement de la défense et qui permet aux entreprises d'investir au Canada par le transfert de la propriété intellectuelle, la création d'emplois qualifiés, les activités liées à l'innovation et à l'exportation et au développement international. Hors le « système » mis en place par Lockheed-Martin n’est de loin, pas le plus intéressant. En effet, le principe d’avion « joint » nuit à la base industrielle et la diversité de celle-ci en réduisant la compétition et l’innovation. En matière de collaboration industrielle, le système fermé du F-35 rend les clients totalement dépendant du fournisseur.

L’alternative européenne :

A contrario, les offres de  Dassault avec le Rafale F-3R et Airbus Group avec l’Eurofighter T3 block20/25 permettent justement une ouverture en matière de collaboration et de développement. Les offsets sont larges et ne concernent pas uniquement l’avion mais d’autres produits de l’aéronautique ainsi que d’autres secteurs.

Une bataille de fond :

Partant de l’hypothèse que le Canada opte finalement pour l’Eurofighter ou le Rafale, permettrait par ailleurs de casser, la toute dominance américaine à vouloir imposer « son » avion. Jusqu’ici, (Australie, Italie, Turquie et d’autres) se sont simplement ralliés à l’offre US sans même étudier sérieusement les autres options européennes que représentent le Rafale, l’Eurofighter et le Gripen. Une telle décision au Canada pourrait avoir certaines répercutions en Belgique par exemple, mais ailleurs également.

La décision canadienne sur le F-35 ou non, concerne donc directement l’industrie aéronautique européenne et son développement à court et moyen terme. La volonté de casser cette industrie est en soi un objectif américain, le lobbying de couloir reste très actif de la part de Lockheed-Martin pour tenter se s’assurer le choix canadien.



Photos : 1 Eurofighter aux couleurs du Canada @Airbus Groups 2 Rafale aux couleurs du Canada@ Dassault

http://psk.blog.24heures.ch/archive/2014/06/10/t-si-le-canada-optait-pour-un-chasseur-europeen-856257.html  

..........Pas demain le veille............
comme la GB ,qui sert de vassal a l'oncle SAM.

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Submarine repairs to cost $18 million




A broken generator aboard one of Canada’s submarines has led to $18 million in various repairs to the boat, now out of the water on the east coast.

HMCS Windsor spent five years in a $209-million refit from 2007 to December 2012, when it was returned to service for what was supposed to be a six-year operational cycle. But during sea trials, a defect was identified with one of the sub’s two electrical generators.

Windsor was docked in March in Halifax and crews were to replace the generator at a cost of $2 million.

The Royal Canadian Navy now says that work has been expanded to include other maintenance on the sub, as well as an upgrade to a main sonar system.

In May, Defence Minister Rob Nicholson tabled in Parliament a breakdown of the repair costs in response to a question by Liberal defence critic Joyce Murray. Including internal labour, various services and material, the total repair cost was estimated at $18.5 million.

Navy spokesman Commander Hubert Genest said in an email that the upgraded sonar equipment was to be installed in 2016, but the navy is taking advantage of Windsor’s docking to do the work now.

It was estimated that the upgrade will cost a little more than $11 million of the total $18.5 million. However, indications are that the sonar upgrade will cost less than estimated, Genest added.

Final costs won’t be known until October when the work is completed.

Various other forms of maintenance are also being done on the sub.

The submarine program, which has already cost around $900 million, has been dealing with maintenance issues that have limited the availability of the boats for operations.

Canada purchased the subs second-hand from Britain and took delivery of the boats between 2000 and 2004. The navy said it did a thorough examination of the vessels to ensure they met Canadian needs, yet problems with the Victoria-class subs started materializing almost immediately.

High-pressure welds had to be replaced and cracks were found in some of the valves on the four subs. Steel piping also needed to be replaced as the submarines were put into storage in the United Kingdom with water in their fuel tanks. HMCS Victoria also underwent repairs for a dent discovered in her hull.

In addition, there were delays in installing Canadian equipment, such as the weapons fire control and communications gear.

Critics have questioned the value of the subs. The navy leadership and Conservative government argue the boats are needed for Canada’s defence.

http://ottawacitizen.com

Citation :

Tories given green light for F-35 jet decision


For the first time in two years, the path is clear for the Conservative government to select Canada’s next fighter jet, a choice that could very well mean buying the controversial F-35 Lightning without a competition.

A panel of independent monitors on Thursday gave its blessing to a still-confidential Royal Canadian Air Force report that evaluated the risks and benefits of purchasing four different warplanes and has been forwarded to the federal cabinet.

Sources say cabinet is expected to make a decision on fighters within the next couple of weeks.

Thursday’s seal of approval fulfilled the Harper government’s final obligation before making a pivotal decision to either buy the F-35 without competition or open the field to bidding from all jet makers.

The Tories froze this procurement in 2012 after blowback over an earlier decision to buy the F-35 that critics said was made with a lack of due diligence. After a damning Auditor-General’s report, the Harper government vowed to hold off until it had fulfilled a “seven-point plan” to restart the process of replacing Canada’s aging CF-18s.

But as of Thursday, the seven-point plan has been fulfilled. Government sources say the federal cabinet is “more than likely” to take up the report in the next few weeks.

A four-member independent review panel gave the government the affirmation it was seeking, saying it had no hesitation in pronouncing the RCAF’s assessment of Lockheed Martin’s F-35, the Dassault Rafales, the Boeing Super Hornet and the Eurofighter Typhoon “rigorous and impartial.”

Former federal comptroller-general Rod Monette, one of the panelists, compared the group’s independent seal of approval to the Auditor-General signing off on the government’s books.

Still, the panel acknowledged the measurements used to analyze the fighters were based on the same Conservative defence policy used to justify the now-aborted decision in 2010 to buy 65 F-35s without a competitive bidding process.

“The policy is used to guide acquisitions,” said Philippe Lagassé, a military expert at the University of Ottawa who was a member of the independent panel.

The federal government opted to analyze the technical data from four fighter jets through the lens of its 2008 Canada First Defence Strategy.

This six-year-old policy is widely considered outdated. It specifically calls for the acquisition of “next-generation fighter aircraft,” using Lockheed-Martin’s favourite buzzword to describe its F-35 as the only aircraft that is a full generation ahead of its rivals.

The independent review panel was made up of former fighter pilot and ex-Communications Security Establishment Canada chief Keith Coulter, Prof. Lagassé as well as two retired senior civil servants, James Mitchell and Mr. Monette.

While the panel’s thumbs-up is public, the crucial air-force report that they shepherded through the system is not.

The government will release only a partial version of the RCAF report to the public, excised of all sensitive and commercial information, once Ottawa has announced the next step in buying fighters.

This full report is in the hands of federal ministers, who will be able to compare the four aircraft using a colour-coded scheme that lays out the risks associated with six types of missions that future jet fighters might be called upon to fulfill.

The risk for each mission ranges from low (green) to very high (brown), laying out the capabilities and deficiencies of each aircraft in conducting operations such as patrolling the Arctic or attacking foreign forces in an overseas mission.

Follow us on Twitter: Daniel Leblanc @danlebla, Steven Chase @stevenchase

http://www.theglobeandmail.com

Les dés sont pipé depuis le début... f35 ils auront.
C'est comme un mauvais arbitrage de coupe du monde...........  

Citation :

No fighter jet replacement contract before 2018: government guide

A contract to replace Canada's aging fleet of jet fighters won't be finalized until at least 2018.

CF-18 fighter replacement homework done and handed in to cabinet
F-35 purchase decision expected next week in report
F-35 rivals report done as cabinet considers fighter jet options

The Harper government has released its long-anticipated defence acquisition guide, which is meant to provide industry a snapshot of the military's expected equipment needs over the next two decades.

Defence Minister Rob Nicholson recently notified defence contractors that the guide, which contains some 200 different pieces of kit, is not a commitment to buy and that it's meant to start a dialogue with manufacturers.

The guide says the replacement program for the CF-18s will remain in the definition phase between 2015 and 2017, meaning a decision could be pushed out past the next federal election, slated to take place in less than 18 months.

There will be a request for proposals between 2017 and 2019.

It goes on to say the awarding of the contract is expected between 2018 and 2020, which is around the time when many of the CF-18s are expected to reach the end of their service life.
Impact on F-35 program unclear

The guide also proposes upgrades to the CF-18 electronic warfare suites, as well as software and training improvements for the fighters, originally purchased in the 1980s.

What that means for the fate of the controversial F-35 program is unclear.

The federal cabinet is examining a series of reports, including an independent panel's market analysis of which fighter aircraft could meet the future needs of the air force.

It could decide over the next few weeks to continue with the stealth fighter plan or throw the replacement program open to a full-blown competition.

Another option might be for cabinet to ask the air force to rewrite its statement of requirements.

The federal Liberals are taking the guide as a sign that there will be a competition.

Defence critic Joyce Murray called on the Conservatives to guarantee that the Prime Minister's Office will allow open bidding, and not overrule the plan.
Government downplays timeline

"Great news today from the Department of National Defence," Murray told the House of Commons during question period.

But Public Works Minister Diane Finley, whose department is overseeing the troubled program, warned against reading too much into the timeline, saying no decision has been and likely won't be any time soon.

"We've had an independent panel of outside experts review the assessment that was done by the RCAF," Finley said.

"Over the next several weeks we are going to be carefully reviewing a number of reports on this subject, so that we can make sure that we get the proper equipment our men and women in uniform need to do their job."

It's not the first time the 2018 date has been floated in relation to the fighter replacement.

Earlier this year, the manufacturer of the F-35 indicated that the Harper government had pushed its potential delivery date for the first aircraft off until that year, holding its place in the line of countries that have already agreed to buy the jet.

But Steve O'Bryan, vice president of business development at Lockheed Martin, said in order to meet the timeline, Canada would have to make a decision and begin making payments next year.

The federal government has not signed a delivery contract, but the partnership arrangement among nations requires them to put begin putting money down three years before the first plane arrives.

http://www.cbc.ca

Citation :

to deliver Cyclone choppers, retire Sea Kings


OTTAWA - Multiple sources say the Harper government has formally signed a deal to amend its contract with the U.S. manufacturer of the long-delayed Cyclone maritime helicopters.

The information comes from several defence and government sources, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

They say the agreement with Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., signed today, paves the way for the retirement next year of Canada’s outdated fleet of Sea King choppers.

The inability of the Conservatives to replace the anti-submarine helicopters, which are more than 50 years old and operate primarily off the decks of navy frigates, has been a huge political embarrassment.

One senior defence official says the Cyclones — also known as CH-148s — are expected to be delivered in 2015, to begin limited operational missions from warships early the following year.

As many as six pilots are already qualified to fly the aircraft, four of which have been parked at the military air base in Shearwater, N.S.; training will ramp up once the new choppers are delivered.

It’s the second time the government has negotiated a contract amendment with Sikorsky, which has missed previous deadlines to deliver completed helicopters, accruing more than $88 million in penalties in the process.

http://www.globalpost.com

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Aviation royale canadienne a partagé la photo de Kevin W. Moore.


The 2014 CF-18 Demonstration Hornet, flown by Captain Adam "Manik" Runge, departing YXU, London, bound for CNQ4, Tillsonburg.

Magnifique ce F18.  

Exercice LION MISTRAL.  


Des membres du 1er Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment, embarquent leurs véhicules blindés légers dans le navire de la Marine
nationale française BPC Mistral.
  

PHOTOS:

Citation :

  Le gouvernement du Canada réduit la flotte de Challenger

Introduction

L’honorable Rob Nicholson, ministre de la Défense nationale, a annoncé aujourd’hui que le gouvernement du Canada a décidé de réduire la flotte de CC144 Challenger de l’Aviation royale canadienne de six à quatre avions, une mesure qui entre en vigueur dès maintenant. Le gouvernement estime qu’il réalisera ainsi des économies de 1,5 million de dollars par année. Cet argent sera réaffecté à des besoins opérationnels plus grands, dont la recherche et le sauvetage.

Le ministère de la Défense nationale et les Forces armées canadiennes (MDN/FAC) ont reçu du gouvernement du Canada la directive d’améliorer leurs principaux processus administratifs et de maximiser leurs capacités et leur disponibilité opérationnelles. Cette initiative de renouvellement de la Défense a pour objectif de générer de 750 millions à 1,2 milliard de dollars en économies annuelles d’ici 2017‑2018 en vue d’un réinvestissement dans les secteurs hautement prioritaires. La réaffectation des fonds dégagés de la mise hors service des Challenger représente une contribution supplémentaire à ce projet d’envergure.

Faits en bref
•L’argent économisé grâce à la réduction de la flotte de Challenger des FAC sera réaffecté à des besoins opérationnels plus grands, dont la recherche et le sauvetage.
•Le gouvernement du Canada continue de prioriser les capacités de première ligne et la disponibilité opérationnelle dans le cadre de l’affectation des ressources et des investissements.
•Chaque année, les Forces armées canadiennes et leurs partenaires de la Garde côtière canadienne interviennent dans plus 9 400 incidents et font appel à des aéronefs militaires dans plus de 1 100 cas.

Citation

« Le gouvernement gère très sérieusement les ressources publiques qui lui sont confiées et fait tout en son pouvoir pour bien investir l’argent des contribuables et pour que les hommes et les femmes des Forces canadiennes aient l’équipement dont ils ont besoin pour être en sécurité et s’acquitter de leurs tâches efficacement. C’est pourquoi je suis heureux que des mesures plus responsables soient prises pour veiller à ce que nos investissements dans la défense servent aux domaines hautement prioritaires comme la recherche et le sauvetage. »

L’honorable Rob Nicholson,
C.P., c.r., député de Niagara Falls et ministre de la Défense nationale

http://nouvelles.gc.ca/web/article-fr.do?nid=863769

Citation :

Boeing Completes Delivery of Canadian CH-147F Chinooks



RIDLEY TOWNSHIP, Pa., June 30, 2014 - Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the Royal Canadian Air Force today celebrated the delivery of the 15th CH-147F Medium-to-Heavy-Lift Helicopter, ensuring advanced operational capability for the Canadian Chinook fleet.

“The Medium-to-Heavy-Lift Helicopter project is making an exemplary contribution to the Canada First Defence Strategy,” said Col. Andrew Fleming, program manager for the Medium Heavy Lift Helicopter Project Management Office. “The combined efforts of the Government of Canada, Boeing and all partners involved in delivering this new capability, on time and an on budget, serve as a model for future Canadian Defence acquisitions.”

The Canadian CH-147F is an advanced, multi-mission helicopter that features a modernized airframe with a long-range fuel system allowing it to fly twice as far as standard range models. An upgraded electrical system provides additional power and redundancy, while a fully integrated Common Avionics Architecture System cockpit and Digital Automatic Flight Control System reduce pilot workload and provide greater situational awareness.

“This was a complex aircraft program, yet the partnership and collaboration between Boeing, the Canadian customer and our industry partners enabled us to deliver all 15 aircraft on or ahead of schedule,” said Steve Parker, Boeing vice president Cargo Helicopters & H-47 program manager. “And the advanced technology in the Canadian Chinook will meet the operational needs of the Royal Canadian Air Force well into the future, allowing them to move troops and equipment, and provide support to humanitarian relief efforts, anywhere in the world.”

The aircraft also has an advanced Aircraft Survivability Equipment suite that includes a Directional Infrared Countermeasures system that increases crew safety while allowing operations to be conducted in a wider range of threat environments.

Boeing is providing in-service support to the CH-147F fleet over the next 20 years under a Performance-Based Logistics contract, with Canadian industry playing a key role.

The final CH-147F will join the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, under command of 1 Wing Kingston, Ontario, and will be based at CFB Petawawa.

Canada is among the 18 countries around the world operating Chinooks. H-47s also have performed humanitarian support, disaster relief, rescue, fire-fighting and nation-building missions on six continents in all climates and conditions.

boeing.mediaroom.co

Citation :

Canada's 12 frigates to get new radar systems from Saab Microwave - See more

HALIFAX - The federal government is spending $18.5 million to upgrade the radar systems used aboard the Royal Canadian Navy's 12 frigates.

Federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay, the regional minister for Nova Scotia, made the announcement today at Canadian Forces Base Halifax, where some of the warships are based.

The contract has been awarded to Saab Microwave Canada Ltd., which will overhaul the weapons-control radars.

The work is part of the ongoing modernization of the Halifax-class vessels.

Each of the warships is equipped with radar systems that are paired with weapons-control systems that can track threats from aircraft, ships and missiles.

The modernization program includes giving each ship a new command-and-control system, new electronic-warfare system and upgraded communications technologies and missiles.

© Coast Reporter

Citation :

Publié le 15 Juillet 2014 par Loïc

Le Canada va déployer des CF-18 Hornet en Lituanie  



Mardi 29 Avril, dans le cadre de mesures visant à ré-affirmer le soutien des pays de l'OTAN aux pays de l'Est, qui craignaient une propagation de la crise ukrainienne dans leurs états, le Canada a pris la décision de déployer six CF-18 Hornet (désignation locale du F/A-18 Hornet) en Roumanie.

Les pilotes de chasse du 425è Escadron Tactique de Chasse, basé à Bagotville, à l'Est du Canada, et soutenus par un contingent d'environ 250 militaires canadiens au sol, avaient alors pour mission de s'entraîner avec les différentes forces aériennes positionnées dans la région. La particularité de ce déploiement est que les appareils de l'Aviation Royale Canadienne ne participaient pas aux missions de police du ciel, visant à faire respecter la souveraineté de l'espace aérien de certains pays baltes, comme la Lituanie, la Lettonie, et l'Estonie. Une particularité qui va changer dans les mois qui arrivent.

En effet, et selon le communiqué publié par l'Aviation Royale Canadienne, les CF-18 Hornet vont quitter la Roumanie à la fin du mois d'Août, et vont être déployer en Lituanie, de Septembre à Décembre, dans le cadre de l'opération appelée "Opération réassurance". Ils opéreront aux côtés d'autres forces aériennes de différentes nations déjà déployées sur place, afin de remplir cette mission de police du ciel.

A cette occasion, le Ministre canadien de la Défense a déclaré que "notre gouvernement est résolu à maintenir notre soutien à l'Ukraine et ne restera pas les bras croisés, alors que la souveraineté et l'intégrité territoriale [de l'Ukraine, NDLR] est menacée".

Photo : (c) Aviation Royale Canadienne - CF-18 Hornet au-dessus d'une base aérienne en Roumanie.

http://www.defens-aero.com/2014/07/le-canada-va-deployer-des-cf-18-hornet-en-lituanie.html  

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Navy ship ordered back to Canada after misconduct by sailors



The head of the Royal Canadian Navy has taken the rare step of ordering one of its ships to return from an international exercise because of misconduct by its sailors.

Vice Admiral Mark Norman issued the message Monday, citing three incidents involving the crew of HMCS Whitehorse that took place during Exercise RIMPAC 2014.

The message, leaked to the Ottawa Citizen, also noted that Norman was appointing a senior officer to look at what is behind recent incidents involving the breakdown of professional and personal conduct in the navy.

RIMPAC is the world’s largest multinational naval exercise and takes place mainly in Hawaii. But some aspects of the exercise are conducted off the coast of California and on July 1, HMCS Whitehorse was docked in San Diego.

Whitehorse arrived early Monday at its home port of CFB Esquimalt, B.C., navy officials confirmed Monday night.

Norman didn’t provide details about the incidents in question.

Navy officials, however, told the Citizen that two occurred on board the ship. The other involved the arrest of a Canadian sailor by U.S. police.

In his message, Norman said he recently reflected with tremendous satisfaction about the many recent accomplishments of navy personnel, both at home and abroad.

“And so, it is with great disappointment that I must now signal why I took the difficult decision to return HMCS Whitehorse to Esquimalt from Exercise RIMPAC 2014, following three incidents of personal misconduct ashore,” he wrote in the navy-wide message to sailors. “While the actions of a few sailors in Whitehorse was the trigger for my decision, I recalled her home because I am troubled that across the RCN a small number of our personnel have fallen short of the timeless expectations of naval service and have failed in their roles as ambassadors of their navy and country — no matter where they serve.”

Norman said in his message he is satisfied that when incidents of personal misconduct occur, they are addressed by individual commanders quickly, firmly and fairly.

But he wrote that when such incidents are considered collectively, they raise a deeper concern. Norman noted that such incidents could distract the navy from operational excellence and put the health and safety of individuals at risk.

Because of that, Norman said he is appointing a senior officer to conduct a review of “policies and procedures that underpin the hands-on leadership of our personnel.”

That reviewing officer will “ensure that we are doing everything we can, and should, to provide clear expectations and direction for all personnel as it relates to professional conduct and responsibility, both on and off duty,” he added.

Norman noted that the actions of sailors reflect not only on themselves but as well on the navy and Canada.

Norman will receive the preliminary findings from the review in September.

He noted that the vast majority of sailors are “exemplary ambassadors” for Canada but the navy must go further in reinforcing what is and is not acceptable conduct.

There have been other high-profile incidents of misconduct recently. In May a Royal Canadian Navy officer was given a severe reprimand and a $5,000 fine for deserting his post on a supply vessel after alleging he faced harassment and ridicule.

Lieut. Derek de Jong told his court martial that prior to deserting on Sept. 17, 2012, he was subjected to behaviour that at one point involved a female colleague urinating in his cabin. HMCS Preserver was docked at Key West, Fla., when he left the ship.

The navy later said it would investigate the urination incident.

Canada is contributing a frigate, submarine, aircraft and maritime coastal defence vessels to the RIMPAC 2014 exercise, which ends in August. HMCS Whitehorse is a maritime coast defence vessel.

Twenty-two nations, 49 surface ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC, according to the U.S. Navy

http://ottawacitizen.com

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35 Groupe-brigade du Canada

NG 14 - Artillerie

Photos Cpl François Girard (8 photos)



  

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35 Groupe-brigade du Canada

NG 14 - Artillerie Album 2

Photos Lt Derek Picard-Fortin (15 photos)




  

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