Vanguard Magazine

10 JUNE/JULY 2016 www.vanguardcanada.com s sIt REP Bluedrop to design simulation software for AOPS project Raytheon chief targets growth, CSC Bluedrop Training & Simulation Inc. of Halifax re- ceived a $15 million contract to design the train- ing and simulation software for the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) project. The contract was awarded by Irving Shipbuild- ing, which is constructing six vessels for the AOPS project under a $2.3 billion contract from the gov- ernment, and Fleetway Inc., which provides engi- neering and support services for the Royal Cana- dian Navy (RCN) and the Canadian Coast Guard. The AOPS project will deliver six ice-capable off- shore patrol ships that will conduct sovereignty and surveillance operations in Canada's Exclusive Economic Zone, including in the Arctic. The AOPS is part of Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) which was announced back in 2010. The RCN will also use the AOPS to support other units of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to conduct maritime-related operations and to support other government departments in carrying out their mandates. More than $1 billion in AOPS contracts have been delivered to over 190 Canadian companies, creating jobs and economic impact across Can- ada, including over $405 million in contracts to Nova Scotia companies. The AOPS vessels, currently under construc- tion at the Halifax Shipyard, are the first ships to be built under the combat vessels package of the shipbuilding contract. "Bluedrop is proud to be a part of this impor- tant project for Canada," said Jean-Claude Siew, vice-president, technology, and simulation with Bluedrop. "Our state-of-the-art virtual training and simulation centre here in Halifax is the only facil- ity of its kind in Canada and will ensure our Navy has access to leading edge training technologies to prepare and train the future fleet." Landing business opportunities in key gov- ernment procurement programs such as the Navy's Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) pro- gram and growing local operations are among the priorities of the head of Raytheon Interna- tional Inc. Canada. "My big focus is to grow locally in terms of Canadian employment, Canadian jobs, and Ca- nadian sustainment, but also to provide reach- back," Mark Nicol, told Vanguard. "I think it is very important for Raytheon to be involved in the Canadian Surface Combatant program. We have a very strong pedigree as the best pro- vider of naval missiles throughout the world the Canadian navy still has Raytheon missiles onboard its ships." Nicol, who was at the recently concluded Cansec 2016 conference in Ottawa, was named the president of the global defence technol- ogy provider's Canadian arm late last year. He has been with the company for 14 years and served most recently as program director for the Standard Missiles I and II projects. "Raytheon has a long heritage of in-country operations and trusted partnerships, provid- ing Canada with the best solutions at the best value," said Thomas Vecchiolla, president of Raytheon Internation, Inc. "With a proven in- ternational business track record, Mark is the right leader to serve at the point most focused on our Canadian customers, upholding our commitments and helping our most trusted ally meet today's evolving mission require- ments." Nicol said Raytheon has more than 800 Ca- nadian suppliers. "It will be stupid not to use that network, if not increase that number moving forward," he said. Griffons deployed against ISIL Three CH-146 Griffon helicopters were sent to Iraq when an all-source intelligence centre was es- tablished in the country as part of the Canadian Armed Forces' expanded contribution to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The deployment is part of Operation IMPACT, the CAF's contribution to the Middle East Stabilization Force (MESF) – the multinational coalition to stop and degrade ISIL. Under Operation IMPACT, the CAF will conduct air operations, provide training and assistance to Iraqi security forces, provide capac- ity building capabilities to regional forces and sup- port the coalition with skilled personnel. "The all-source intelligence centre will enhance our situational awareness along with that of the Coalition," according to Gen. Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff, " Griffon helicopters will provide effective in-theatre tactical transport, and will enhance the capabilities of our trainers in Iraq. All of these Canadian assets will make significant contributions to coalition operations." As a part of Joint Task Force-Iraq, the CAF of- ficially opened an all-source intelligence centre. The centre will be responsible for collecting, syn- thesizing, and analyzing information derived from a variety of sources. This intelligence is then used to inform operational planning, ultimately contrib- uting to the protection of coalition forces and the conduct of coalition operations.

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