Preserving capacity, General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, Keys to Canadian SAR
Issue link: http://vanguardcanada.uberflip.com/i/679566
F FWSAR 22 APRIL/MAY 2016 www.vanguardcanada.com Joint venture with strong Canadian roots will support C anada is on the brink of selecting a new fixed-wing search and res- cue (FWSAR) aircraft to replace two venerable but near obsolete aircraft. If the C-27J Spartan is chosen to become Canada's next FWSAR aircraft, a just-announced joint venture (JV) be- tween General Dynamics Mission Systems - Canada and Finmeccanica Sp.A., will become the long-term in-service support (ISS) integrator for the program. As the integrator, the JV known as Spar- tan Aviation Services and headquartered in Ottawa, Ont., will be responsible for delivery of the entire ISS program with the support of a strong Canadian part- ner network across the country. Partners include DRS Technologies - Canada, a training systems provider; IMP Aerospace, which will modify the aircraft delivered by Finmeccanica according to the specifica- tions of the FWSAR program; KF Aero- space, a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MR&O) provider; TRU Simulation + Training; Rolls-Royce Canada; Standard Aero; CAE; Esterline CMC Electronics; L-3 WESCAM; Flyht Aerospace Solutions; Airdyne Aerospace; and ATCO Frontec. "It is very important to keep this venture Canadian-controlled by a strong Canadian firm coupled with the original equipment manufacturer as an integral partner in sup- porting the fleet for the long term," said David Ibbetson, general manager of Gen- eral Dynamics Mission Systems - Canada. "Together we're confident that we can deliver a highly capable and cost-effective solution to the Royal Canadian Air Force." For its part in the pursuit of the Fixed Wing Search and Rescue program, DRS Technologies - Canada Ltd., is leading a group of Canadian companies that will build a training center in the western prov- ince of British Columbia and design the comprehensive training program for it. DRS has developed an integrated training solution that combines elements from es- tablished suppliers across Canada. Bluedrop Training & Simulation of Hali- fax, NS, will supply the courseware while TRU Simulation + Training of Montreal, QC, will design and deliver training equip- ment, including a full-flight simulator. DRS also has teamed with ATCO Frontec of Calgary, AB, for the design and con- struction of the training center facility. The Team Spartan proposal includes a commitment to deliver 100 per cent of contract value industrial offsets and ben- efits in the form of hundreds of long-term, high-value jobs and far-reaching invest- ments in Canadian firms and technology. "From Finmeccanica's perspective, the C-27 J