Preserving capacity, General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, Keys to Canadian SAR
Issue link: http://vanguardcanada.uberflip.com/i/122908
L Land SyStemS General Dynamics Land Systems' Piranha 5. Photo: GDLS signed by Hagglunds and currently built by BAE Systems. The first deliveries of the CV-90 were in 1993, and since then, more than 1,000 have entered service in countries like Denmark, Norway, Finland and the Netherlands, as well as Sweden. As a tracked vehicle, the CV-90 has some distinct mobility advantages, matching the Leopard 2 over varied terrain. But that does come with a cost. For the CCV program, the CV9035 will have a powerful 35 mm Bushmaster cannon. In its more modern versions, BAE has increased the vehicle's operational range and speed with a high torque V8 diesel engine which can reach speeds of 70 kilometres per hour and travel up to 900 km. The stronger engine has ensured that the power-to-weight ratio remains largely the same, despite an increase from 23 to 35 tonnes due to greater protection. tEcHnoloGY transFEr Canada stands to benefit from a range of new technological skills should the DEW Engineering and Development and BAE Systems team win in its bid to build and service the Close Combat Vehicle program. 32 APRIL/mAy 2013 www.vanguardcanada.com The wild card in the competition might be the General Dynamics European Land Systems Piranha 5. Designed by the Swiss, this 8x8 wheeled vehicle will have a 30 mm Lance modular turret system from Rheinmetall Canada. Like the VBCI, it would be less expensive to buy and operate. Unlike its competitors, the Piranha 5 has not yet been purchased by any country's armed forces. As the makers of the LAV III, however, the GDLS–Canada brand does carry a lot of clout with government. This could be a moot point since all three manufacturers plan to build their vehicles in Canada. The Piranha 5 has a range of 550 kilometres and can hits speeds of 100 kilometers per hour with a 580 horse power diesel engine. So, a wheeled or a tracked vehicle? A decision on the CCV program is expected in the coming months. — Vanguard Staff "This program is a natural evolution for us to build on skills we developed in the past, to introduce us to new technology and new skills, and to prepare our Canadian team for challenges ahead," said Ian Marsh, president of Ottawa-based DEW, in reference to the lengthy historical partnership between the two companies. DEW would do final assembly of BAE Systems' CV9035 MkIII, as well as integration and testing, including the highly sophisticated turret system. DEW would also provide in-service support for the platform. Some of the CV90 component manufacturing and welding would be conducted at DEW's Ottawa facility, but the turret installation would take place at its plant in Mirimichi, New Brunswick. The program would also involve additional Canadian companies. According to DEW's operations manager, Mike Harris, who tested the vehicle in Europe, "this is a proven, low-risk program and we have already started to benefit from the knowledge transfer and expertise of BAE Systems and its business partners." DEW has completed several projects for the Canadian Army, including repair and refit work on the Army's light armoured vehicle fleet and major upgrade tasks on the Leopard 1C2 tanks, as well as a multi-year life extension program for the M113 family of vehicles. C M Y CM MY CY CMY K