Vanguard Magazine

Her Majesty's Canadian Submarine (HMCS) Windsor. Photo: Leading Seaman Dan Bard, DND. interview www.vanguardcanada.com JUNE/JULY 2019 21 the RCN, has allowed you to focus on the legacy fleet. How are the legacy fleet requirements priorities being shaped? From a requirements perspective, the or- ganizational change has enabled DNR staff to concentrate on ensuring that the current fleet continues to meet the chal- lenges of conducting operations at sea today. This new organization has enabled DNR to move forward on the implemen- tation of new capabilities into the Fleet such as Wifi, UAVs, and changes to the future of naval training. The DNR team continues to work with industry, NATO Allies and international partners to monitor the modern security environment, evaluate emerging threats, and ensure that the RCN's current capa- bilities and future requirements can meet these challenges. When gaps are identified, the DNR team works with the defence team, industry and the scientific community, to identify new capabilities to close those gaps. DNR works closely with DGFSC and their In- novation Team to explore the future possi- bilities to bring enhanced capability to the Fleet. As RAdm Donovan has stated previ- ously, the RCN Innovation Program has encouraged a culture of innovation in the RCN which has permeated how the RCN is looking at procurement. While DNR is focused on our current capabilities, we benefit from the knowl- edge of what our future fleet will consist of, and what a digital-capable Navy would look like. When DNR personnel seek ways to improve the current fleet, the goal is to ensure that any options selected provide a continuous linear path of improvement as we transition to the new fleet. This will ensure we are able to produce a continu- ous training pipeline matched to capability improvements for our sailors. Q Where do you see the major ef- fort and associated timelines going with regards to the Halifax-class frigates post Halifax-class Modernization/Frigate Life Extension (HCM/FELEX)? What are the key areas of interest to keep these ships operationally relevant to end of service life? The combined ADM (Material) and RCN teams work together to maintain and man- age the Halifax-class. As part of a continuous effort to ensure that engineering and warfare upgrades to the Halifax-class are continued through- out the life of the class, ADM (Material) and RCN teams work closely together to align maintenance and fleet management priorities. Some of the larger upgrades under this ef- fort include new generators; upgraded heat- ing, ventilation and air conditioning system components; an Underwater Warfare Suite Upgrade project, which will improve the RCN's underwater warfare capability; the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile upgrade, which will improve the RCN's anti-air warfare ca- pability; and the recently announced trial in- stallation of the SAAB Aerospace Sea Giraffe AMB 3D-RADAR, which will provide the Halifax-class with an increased air and sur- face surveillance capability. The RCN will continue to assess the evolving security environment in order to ensure our ships are ready to respond to any missions that the Government of Can- ada tasks the RCN to undertake. Q For the Victoria-class submarines, what are some of key capability upgrades that will have to be addressed? The Government of Canada made the modernization of the Victoria-class sub- marines a cornerstone of the Royal Ca- nadian Navy's contribution to Canada's Defence Policy. Building on lessons learned from the successful Halifax-class modernization, the Victoria-class modernization multi- billion dollar program will improve or add additional capabilities to the class to main- tain its operational relevance and keep it sailing through the mid-2030s. The Victoria-class is a strategic asset that is used for surveillance, support to law-enforcement in investigating narcotics trafficking and smuggling cases, and other domestic and international operations. Just to provide an update on RCN submarine activities, HMCS Windsor returned in June 2018 from a 133-day deployment to the Mediterranean Sea in support of NATO operations and exercises. Windsor is now in a transitional docking work period. In Sep- tember 2017, the RCN deployed HMCS Chicoutimi as a part of Operation PRO- JECTION. Away from homeport for close to 200 days, she participated in numerous exercises including Annual Exercise (AN- NUALEX) with the Japan Maritime Self- Defense Force and United States Navy in the waters off of Japan. HMCS Chicoutimi now holds the record for the longest mis- sion conducted by a Victoria-class subma- rine. She is preparing to enter into a transi- tional docking work period. In order to ensure the Victoria-class re- mains relevant, this modernization pro- gram will improve habitability and deploy- ment conditions onboard, position the class to contribute meaningfully to Joint Operations ashore through covert surveil- lance and other means, and ensure the sur- vivability of the class in increasingly com-

• Cover