Vanguard Magazine

8 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 www.vanguardcanada.com S Sit REp As part of its pilot training program with the Royal Canadian Air Force, CAE recently completed major upgrades to the CT-156 Harvard (T-6) and CT-155 Hawk flight training devices (FTDs) at 15 Wing Moose Jaw. FTDs are used for ground-based training as part of the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) program for which CAE is the prime contractor. Upgrades were done on three CT-156 Harvard FTDs and one CT-155 Hawk FTD, which are used extensively for NFTC pilot training syllabus. The work included replacing computing hardware on the simulators, CAE upgrades FTDs for 'more immersive and realistic' ground-based training for NFTC program adding new visual display systems, updating the instructor operator sta- tions, and upgrading the image generators to the latest CAE Medallion series. Next, the company will commence work on upgrading the CT-155 Hawk FTD located at 4 Wing Cold Lake, which is used as part of Phase IV fighter lead-in training under the program. "The ground-based training system and use of simulators have be- come increasingly important for military pilot training," said France Hébert, Vice President and General Manager, CAE Canada. "With the up- graded flight training devices used for NATO Flying Training in Canada, we will now be able to deliver ground-based training that is more immersive and realistic, which in turn contributes to the more effective and efficient delivery of live flying training." The upgrades are already benefitting student pilots. According to a news release, the new visual systems provide more realism in the synthetic en- vironment and have enabled training tasks such as formation flying and tactical scenarios to be rehearsed in the simulators. This enhances the ef- ficiency of performing these tasks during live flying training. As part of the NFTC program, CAE runs the base facilities in Moose Jaw and Cold Lake, delivers the ground-school classroom and simula- tor training, and supports the live flying training on a fleet of Beechcraft T-6 (CT-156 Harvard) and BAE Systems Hawk (CT-155 Hawk) aircraft. CAE delivers this program in collaboration with the Government of Canada in providing pilot training for the RCAF and allied militaries by merging ba- sic, advanced, and lead-in fighter training as part of the comprehensive military pilot training program. The Royal Canadian Navy's second Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship, the future HMCS Margaret Brooke, afloat in Halifax Harbour for the first time following a successful launch at Halifax Shipyard. Image: Irving Shipbuilding Image: CAE Canada's Second Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship Launched In November, Canada's second Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS), the future HMCS Margaret Brooke, was launched at Irving's Halifax Shipyard. Irving Shipbuilding was contracted by Canada to build six AOPS for the Royal Canadian Navy as part of Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). The first AOPS, the future HMCS Harry DeWolf, is in the last stage of construction and will begin sea trials at the end of November. On November 8, the future HMCS Margaret Brooke was moved from Halifax Shipyard's land level facility to a submersible barge where it was launched into the Bedford Basin two days later. The 103-metre ship is now pier side at Halifax Shipyard where work will continue in preparation for sea trials with the aim of being handed over to the RCN later next year. As work is continuing on the first two AOPS, the third and fourth AOPS – the future HMCS Max Bernay and the future HMCS William Hall – are also under construction inside Halifax Shipyard's facilities. The future HMCS Max Bernay's first two major sections are scheduled to be moved outside in spring 2020. Over the next 20 years, Irving Shipbuilding will construct a total of eight AOPS, six for the RCN and two for the Canadian Coast Guard, as well as 15 Canadian Surface Combatants for the Navy. These contracts are a part of the NSS to replace the aging current surface fleets of the Navy and Coast Guard. "It is exciting to have two Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships in the wa- ter and closer to being in use by the Royal Canadian Navy's sailors," said Kevin McCoy, President, Irving Shipbuilding.

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