Vanguard Magazine

Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of the Department of National Defence, has awarded a contract for the in-service support and maintenance of the 3 King Air 350ER aircraft to Team CERTAS in May. Team CERTAS consists of General Dynamics Mission Systems–Can- ada and Voyageur Aviation Corporation, who won the contract following an open and competitive process. Canada awards in-service support contract for MAISR project This initial in-service support and maintenance contract will run for 8 years at a value of about $72 million and could be extended for over 20 years. This will support the Royal Canadian Air Force with general aircraft maintenance and deployment logistics, and provide training and engi- neering services. Through the manned airborne intelligence surveillance and reconnais- sance (MAISR) contract, Canada purchased the three aircraft from Tex- tron Aviation (formerly Beech Aircraft Corporation) through the Foreign Military Sales program of the United States Government in April 2019. According to a news release, these aircraft will be configured with mil- itary-grade advanced sensors and secure communications equipment, which will improve situational awareness on the ground to support the operations of the Canadian Armed Forces both at home and abroad. They will be fully integrated with associated mission systems and delivered to Canada in 2022. The in-service support contract is being awarded in advance of the 2022 delivery date to ensure that all necessary military airworthiness accredita- tions and specialized training are in place, and to prepare the worksite at Canadian Forces Base Trenton in Ontario to receive the aircraft. Canada to purchase AEGIS Combat System from the U.S. for $1.7 billion Canada has been approved to purchase the AEGIS Combat System and related equipment from the United States at an estimated cost of $1.7 billion. The U.S. State Department made the decision to approve the pos- sible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Canada. Canada has requested to buy from the U.S.: • Four (4) Shipsets of the AEGIS Combat System (ACS) • One (1) AEGIS Combat System Computer Program • Four (4) Shipsets of AN/SPY-7 Solid State Radar Components • Four (4) Shipsets of Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) • Three (3) Shipsets of the MK 41 Vertical Launch System According to a news release from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 10, the purchase will include: • Mode 5/S capable Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment • Early ACS development activities for the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) Project to include U.S. Government and contractor representa- tive engineering activities supporting design, integration, testing, technical documentation, modeling, and training • Hardware to support development and testing in U.S. facilities • Software • Documentation (including combat system capabilities and limita- tions) • Training devices and services • Technical support • Other related elements of logistical and program support "This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the military ca- pability of Canada, a NATO ally that is an important force for ensuring political stability and economic progress, and a contributor to military, peacekeeping and humanitarian operations around the world," accord- ing to the release. It will also help increase Canadian maritime forces' interoperability with the United States and other allied forces, as well as their ability to contribute to missions of mutual interest by delivering the first AEGIS- capable Canadian Surface Combatant. This will significantly improve network-centric warfare capability for the U.S. forces operating globally alongside Canada. The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, NJ. Photo: King Air 350ER. CSC rendering. Image: DND. S SIT REP www.vanguardcanada.com JUNE/JULY 2021 11

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