MBDA introduces the SmartGlider family of weapons

Le Bourget, 19 June 2017. MBDA presents the new SmartGlider family of guided weapons, optimised to counter anti-access strategies and other emerging battlespace threats. Planned to become available for fast jets no later than 2025, SmartGlider forms a family of all-up-round glider weapons, with folding wings and a range of over 100 km. This new generation of air-to-ground weapons is designed to counter new networked short- and medium-range surface-to-air threats, as well as moving/relocatable targets or hardened fixed targets.

The compact family member, SmartGlider Light, is 2 meters long and weighs 120 kg. 12 to 18 SmartGlider Lights can be carried on an aircraft thanks to a Hexabomb Smart Launcher (HSL) capable of managing reactive strikes without affecting the pilot’s workload. As such, the SmartGlider Light will allow first-day-entry by saturating and destroying enemy air defences.

For general purpose missions, the SmartGlider Light can be engaged against a wide spectrum of targets, from hardened and defended fixed targets such as hangars, to relocatable targets that can only be destroyed from a standoff distance with significant lethal effects.

Last, MBDA also prepares a 1,300 kg SmartGlider Heavy able to carry a multipurpose warhead of more than 1,000 kg to deal with large and hardened infrastructure.

“The SmartGlider family considerably reinforces the air-to-ground capabilities of the combat platform, sitting between the bombs equipped with guidance kits and cruise missiles”, explains François Moussez, MBDA Military Advisor. “Designed for use in high volumes in order to saturate air defences, SmartGliders are gliders that, thanks to a high lift-to-drag ratio and their integrated guidance and navigation, will feature a range of over 100 km allowing the combat platform to stay at safe distance from the enemy defences.”

Lionel Mazenq, Business Development Manager France, adds: “Our SmartGliders will integrate new technologies in their guidance and navigation functions, as well as multipurpose warheads. Thus, they will be able to reach and destroy the best defended targets, notably enemy air defences, thanks to a mix of optronics and radio frequency sensors that makes them robust against anti-access measures.”

“Throughout thirty years of work on the SCALP/Storm Shadow and now on future deep strike, MBDA has gained an in-depth understanding of penetrative missions in hostile territory”, states Antoine Bouvier, CEO of MBDA. “We have therefore been able to optimise the costs of the aircraft and missile combination and succeeded in designing a truly efficient weapon for use in high volumes that

perfectly complements the SCALP/Storm Shadow and its future follow-on FC/ASW that we are developing through Anglo-French cooperation.”

JSK COMMITTED TO CANADIAN CONTENT IN SURFACE COMBATANT PROGRAMME

Cohort company SEA, a joint venture partner in Canadian-based naval specialists JSK Naval Support, has passed significant milestones in supplying its torpedo launcher systems (TLS) for two classes of combatant ships being built at separate locations in South East Asia.

One project involves SEA working with Kuala Lumpur-based project engineering managers Budi Axis Sdn Bhd to supply the TLS and weapons handling systems.

Factory acceptance has been achieved for both the TLSand weapon handling system with the TLS comprising a pair of triple configuration, composite tubes mounted just aft of midships on the 111m ships. They are compatible with all lightweight NATO standard-sized torpedoes.

All six sets of weapons handling systems will be manufactured in Malaysia while production of the system electronics will also be progressively manufactured in Malaysia over the six ship sets.

SEA’s international pedigree has been further underlined in another TLS programme for ships under build for another South East Asian country where the system also achieved factory acceptance in May this year. The system for a new design of frigate is made up of two triple trainable launchers, one port and one starboard, with full electronics suite.

It is configurable for various NATO standard weapons but is also being delivered with the capability to fire a US Navy Mk54 torpedo utilising a USN torpedo pre-setter.

In Canada, SEA has utilised its international experience to work with ship support company – Kaycom - as part of the Joint Venture JSK. Headquartered in Point Claire, Quebec, JSK is dedicated to assisting the Royal Canadian Navy optimize existing and future fleet requirements including supplying TLS and decoy launcher systems

JSK President, Brian March says “the experience of JSK’s partner – SEA - in developing customer in-country manufacturing expertise and support for its systems, will enable JSK to provide valuable Canadian content value into the RCN’s programme for a new surface combatant to replace the Iroquois-class destroyers and Halifax-class frigates”.

He explained: “SEA’s experience in transferring technology and investing in in-country manufacturing and support capability is consistent with the aim of maximizing Canadian content for the new Class of combatant. JSK systems will be manufactured almost entirely in Canada, providing experience and expertise that could also subsequently form the basis for additional export work”.

In addition, SEA has a wealth of experience in manufacturing and supporting the UK Royal Navy’s MoD TLS and decoy launchers fitted to its Type 23 frigates, along with supplying the common External Communication System (cECS) used by the UKRN’s major submarines, including the new Astute Class.

L3 WESCAM Launches MatriX™ ISR System Solutions Kits for Fixed- and Rotary-Wing Airborne Platforms

BURLINGTON, Ontario, May 16, 2017 – L3 WESCAM announced today the launch of its MatriX™ ISR system solutions kits for fixed- and rotary-wing platforms. L3’s MatriX kits combine a series of best-in-class Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) technologies that provide an advanced level of ISR mission capabilities in airborne platforms that have traditionally conducted missions without them. The kits offer a low-cost, low-risk approach to extending the mission portfolio of defense and security customers who need to add ISR capability to an existing platform with the ability to easily revert to the platform’s original state, as required.

L3 will be on-site and showcasing its MatriX ISR solutions for the UH-60 and C-130 platforms at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) in Tampa, Florida, May 15–18.

“L3 has been an integrator of turnkey ISR systems for several years, having designed and implemented innovative solutions for significant platforms, including the CH-146 Griffon, the AS355 and U.S. Coast Guard C-130s for the CASPER program,” said Jeff Miller, President of L3’s Sensor Systems business segment. “Although we are now formally launching the MatriX brand, we have been working closely with our customers for years, creating custom ISR systems that meet the operational needs of their respective platforms efficiently and affordably.”

“By integrating fundamental technologies into a streamlined kit, our MatriX solutions can be used to easily convert platforms such as the UH-60 utility Black Hawk and C-130 cargo carrier for ISR missions and then revert them to their original configurations in just a few hours,” said Mike Greenley, President of L3 WESCAM. “The kits contain qualified subsystems and have proven to be a low-cost, low-risk means of adding a significant level of ISR capability – without affecting traditional mission roles.”

Included in each MatriX kit is an MX™-Series imaging or targeting turret – configured for ISR missions – in addition to a removable console in a compact walk-on/walk-off, or larger, palletized roll-on/roll-off orientation. L3’s MatriX kits are built to address the mission and technology requirements determined by the customer while incorporating the unique cabling and mounting requirements of the host platform.

L3 WESCAM is a world leader in the design and manufacture of stabilized, multi-spectral imaging systems. To learn more about L3 WESCAM, please visit the company’s website at www.WESCAM.com.

Headquartered in New York City, L3 Technologies employs approximately 38,000 people worldwide and is a leading provider of a broad range of communication, electronic and sensor systems used on military, homeland security and commercial platforms. L3 is also a prime contractor in aerospace systems, security and detection systems, and pilot training. The company reported 2016 sales of $10.5 billion. To learn more about L3, please visit the company’s website at www.L3T.com.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release are forward-looking statements. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to events or conditions or that include words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “will,” “could” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements set forth above involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any such statement, including the risks and uncertainties discussed in the company’s Safe Harbor Compliance Statement for Forward-Looking Statements included in the company’s recent filings, including Forms 10-K and 10-Q, with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

ARGO Unveils Amphibious Xtreme Terrain Robot (XTR) for Defense and Disaster Recovery

ARGO’s Space, Robotics and Defense Division, a leading manufacturer of unmanned robots and lunar space rovers designed to tackle the world’s harshest environments, today announced the release of the ARGO J8 Atlas XTR for defense, disaster relief missions and rescue operations. 

With UGV’s (Unmanned Ground Vehicles), playing an increasingly important role in hazardous and extreme environments, ARGO developed the electric 8-wheeled amphibious, all-terrain mobile robot to protect the lives of soldiers and keep humans out of harm’s way, no matter the application or operation.

Featuring a customizable platform that can be adaptable to any mission-specific payload device or system, the new ARGO J8 Atlas XTR can be used to navigate and monitor unsafe area without risking soldiers’ safety and is already winning praise from both the Canadian and U.S. Armed Forces.

In March, ARGO received a $1 million contract for three ARGO Atlas J8 XTR which are currently being tested by Defence Research and Development Canada, an agency of National Defence, at the Suffield Research in Alberta. The U.S. Army’s Rapid Equipping Force (REF) has also purchased several vehicles in recent months, testing them at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center (MUTC) in Butlerville, Indiana with a view to ultimately deploying it in defense operations.

Jason Scheib, ARGO Robotics & Defense Sales Manager commented: “With the ARGO Atlas J8 XTR, militaries and defense contractors have a mission ready, cost-effective solution that can reduce exposure to threats for troops and minimize the manpower required for disaster response and rescue operations. UGV’s such as the Atlas J8 have a huge potential within the next generation of defense operations and we look forward to working with customers to develop and deploy solutions that meet their needs.”

The new ARGO Atlas J8 XTR can traverse difficult terrain in extreme weather conditions with payloads of up to 600 kg (1,320 lbs.) on land and 300 kg (660 lbs.) on water. Capable of operating in extreme temperatures from -20C to +40C and featuring a stealthy near silent noise signature thanks to its fully electric drive system, the ARGO Atlas J8 XTR has a built in two speed transmission that results in a top speed in excess of 30km/h and a typical working speed of 0 – 10 km/h.

Requiring minimal training and low maintenance, the J8 also features intuitive user-friendly controls allowing operators to maneuver it via remote teleoperation or line-of-sight radio frequency (RF) with a rugged hand held controller. Fully autonomous, the J8 is capable of self-navigating pre-defined missions in both GPS enabled and GPS denied environments with obstacle detection and avoidance. The vehicle’s unique ‘Follow Me’ mode allows it to be wirelessly  tethered to a leader and respond to their movements and direction with the mission route saved for autonomous execution.

Since 2008, ARGO’s Space, Robotics and Defense Division has developed more than 20 robotic rover platforms designed for the harshest terrain conditions on earth, and in space. The company’s latest generation of J-class robots offers a new level of mobility for applications in agricultural, industrial, security, and defense markets, where extreme mobility, personnel safety, security and durability are required in a proven, affordable platform. ARGO XTR robots are currently in service in Canada, Europe, Asia and South America for any application that is too ‘dull, dirty or dangerous’ for humans.

More information and details about ARGO’s entire line-up of amphibious and autonomous XTR’s can be found online at www.ARGO-XTR.com.

About ARGO

ARGO Xtreme Terrain Vehicles (XTV) and custom utility packages have been manufactured since 1967. ARGO markets its products through a network of independent dealers and distributors located throughout the United States and Canada and through distributors representing dealers in Europe, Russia, South America, the Middle East, Asia and other international markets. ARGO’s unique durability, safety and versatility are driven by the renowned engineering capability of its parent company, Ontario Drive & Gear Ltd. (ODG). Since 1962, ODG has manufactured quality precision gears and transmissions.

Pratt & Whitney Canada Produces 100,000th Engine: Demonstrates Continued Focus on Driving Innovation

Milestone is a testament to long-established commitment to investing in R&D – company

ranks among top Canadian R&D investors.

LONGUEUIL, Quebec – (Marketwired – May 2, 2017) — Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC)

celebrated the production of its 100,000th engine this month, as a testament to P&WC’s longevity

and leadership in the global aerospace market. P&WC is a subsidiary of United Technologies

Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

Today, P&WC has 60,000 in-service engines operated by 12,300 customers in more than 200

countries and territories worldwide. Its engine families span across general aviation, regional

turboprops, business aviation, civil helicopters and auxiliary power units (APUs), and total an

impressive 730 million flight hours logged.

The company has a rich history of innovation, powered by its world-class employees and P&WC

investment in technology. Every second, a P&WC-powered aircraft takes off or lands somewhere

on the planet. These flights matter: powering humanitarian missions, emergency medical

services, search and rescue, reuniting families, driving commerce, and so much more. Operators

around the world bring their P&WC engines back home to P&WC facilities for maintenance and

repair to sustain these missions.

P&WC’s success has been built through numerous achievements in all of its 14 engine families:

• The PT6A engine helped define General Aviation and ushered in a new generation of

fast and versatile small aircraft. While PT6A technology has powered 128 different

applications since its introduction, its benchmark reliability enabled the PT6A to be the

only engine to achieve single-engine IFR status for passenger revenue activity in North

America, Australia and now Europe.

• P&WC has been a leader in the Regional Turboprop segment for more than 30 years and

counting with the PW100/150 family of engines.

• P&WC’s industry-leading families of helicopter engines include the PT6T Twin-Pac®, the

PT6B/PT6C, as well as the PW200/PW210.

• P&WC pioneered the light business jet market with the JT15D engine and then redefined

it with the PW500 engine. The PW300 engine, the heart of mid-size and large cabin

business aircraft, introduced full authority digital engine control (FADEC) technology on

business jet engines, and features low emissions combustor technologies, while the

PW600 drove a series of innovative manufacturing changes at P&WC, such as the

moving line concept. P&WC’s latest addition to its turbofan engine offering, the

PurePower® PW800, brings fundamental change to the large business jet segment,

powering the Gulfstream G500 and G600 next-generation long-range and ultra-long

range business jets. At the heart of the PW800 is the durable, rigorously tested core

technology shared with Pratt & Whitney’s award-winning PurePower Geared Turbofan™

commercial aircraft engines.

• Introducing a new standard of reliability with its PW901, P&WC’s fleet of auxiliary power

units (APUs) equip a variety of commercial aircraft including jets and turboprops flown by

regional airlines, and narrow and wide-body aircraft flown by major commercial airlines.

In the coming weeks and months, P&WC will continue to celebrate its 100,000th engine

milestone, recognizing all the families of products and many accomplishments that have marked

P&WC’s journey.

About Pratt & Whitney Canada

Founded in 1928, P&WC is a global leader in aerospace that is shaping the future of aviation with

dependable, high-technology engines. Based in Longueuil, Quebec (Canada), P&WC is a

subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. United Technologies Corp., based in Farmington,

Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services to the global aerospace and building

systems industries.

The Chief of the Defence Staff releases third Progress Report on Eliminating Sexual Misconduct in the CAF

General Jonathan Vance, the Chief of the Defence Staff today released the third Progress Report on eliminating sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The report covers the period from July 2016 through March 2017.

Highlights of the report include:

•   The CAF continues to take definitive action to address and eliminate sexual misconduct and ensure victims are provided the care and support they need as well as taking decisive and visible action with perpetrators.

•   Over the nine months of this reporting period, the CAF has taken significant action to improve victim support; initiate prevention programs; update policies; enhance subject matter expertise of those who provide support and assistance to victims.

•   The CAF also embedded Operation HONOUR concepts across all levels of education and training; held leaders to account for their response and actions; took decisive action to deter perpetrators; and engaged and empowered all members of the CAF to take action to address and eliminate sexual violence and harassment.

•   Although very sobering, the results of the Statistics Canada Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the CAF provided the first data specific to sexual misconduct and this provided an opportunity to better understand the scope of the issue and specific areas to address and better target our efforts to eliminate harmful and inappropriate sexual behaviour in the CAF.

•   However, there are encouraging indications across the CAF that Operation HONOUR is having a positive impact on CAF members’ awareness of harmful and inappropriate sexual behaviour and the impact this has on individuals and the institution.  CAF members are acquiring a greater understanding of the critical role of bystanders, including how to respond to incidents and support victims. This is leading to increased reporting as well as confidence in the chain of command, military police and military justice.

•   Victims are coming forward to report knowing that they will be provided the care and support they need.  Recruits are being informed of the standard of conduct they will be expected uphold and the consequences of failing to do so before they join the CAF. Leaders are being held to account and action is being taken to remove members from command, leadership, supervisory or instructor positions.

•   Victim Support Services are being expanded to assist CAF members who have been affected by harmful and inappropriate sexual behaviour to mitigate the impacts by providing more options for reporting; guiding and supporting them during reporting, investigative process and judicial proceedings as well as providing a network for healing and support with peers. 

•   The CF Provost Martial implemented an unfounded case review of all files to ensure they were properly concluded. A preliminary examination identified 166 unfounded CF MP cases between 2010 and 2016.  Between 2010 and 2015, the CF MP unfounded rate was 28.89%. In the 2015/16 period the unfounded rate decreased to 14.57% and has continued to decrease in the past year to 7.29% unfounded rate for sexual misconduct overall and 6.8% for sexual assault. 

•   The CF Provost Martial is also implementing an external case review model, commonly known as “the Philadelphia model”  that will provide for independent, external case review of unfounded sexual assault cases that would include stakeholders reviewing complete case files.  This will ensure that all cases are handled appropriately, and that victims feel confident in reporting offences to military police. 

•   Education and Training products and programs are helping CAF members recognize sexual misconduct and harassment when they see it and know how to respond and support victims.

•   Bystander training is being delivered across the CAF, which is reinforcing to our members that they have a duty to act if they see or have information about inappropriate behaviour.  Over 40% of HISB incidents are now reported by a third-party.

•   The CAF is taking definitive and visible action with perpetrators.  Personnel who choose to perpetrate acts of inappropriate sexual behaviour or who fail to take action for those under their supervision or command are being relieved of command, supervision or instructor duties.

•   Last year, the CDS ordered that any member of the CAF found guilty of sexual misconduct would be given a notice of intent to release from the CAF.  Since that order took effect on the first of January, 77 notices of intent to release have been issued, many dealing with old cases. These notices are now moving through due process.

•   Recruiting efforts have been successful in increasing the number of women in the CAF. Not only have the percentage of recruits who are women significantly increased from 13% to 17% between 2015/16 and 2016/17, but the overall percentage of women in the CAF has increased by 0.3%, which is the first positive growth in over a decade. It is anticipated this will only improve as the strategies and initiatives developed last year andnew advertising and programs roll out.

Quotes

“I’m encouraged by some of the steps being taken to eliminate inappropriate sexual behaviour in the Canadian Armed Forces. We are taking career action against perpetrators, implementing more robust training programs, reviewing past unfounded sexual assault complaints and most importantly, are providing better support to victims. We still have more work to do, and we will continue to promote cultural change so we can rid our institution of this abhorrent behaviour.”  

General Jonathan H. Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff

“This progress report shows there are positive steps being taken to change our culture to one of respect and dignity for all. I am especially encouraged that members of the Canadian Armed Forces are beginning to report the harmful sexual behaviour they witness in greater numbers. We’re a team and we all have a duty to look out for each other. Supporting our people is key to this Operation’s success.”

Chief Warrant Officer Kevin West, Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer

KF Aerospace awarded contract to deliver and operate Bell 206 Flight Training Device for Canada's CFTS Program

In early January, KF Aerospace, through its subsidiary KF Aerospace Defence Programs,

received a contract award from Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND) to provide a

new Bell 206 Level 7 Flight Training Device (FTD) for the Contracted Flying Training and

Support (CFTS) Program located in Southport, Manitoba. This new capability, representing a

capital investment of over CAD $6.5 million, is part of a larger scope of work by KF Aerospace

Defence Programs to provide the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) with Primary, Basic,

Rotary-Wing, and Multi-engine pilot training at CFTS until 2027.

Built by Frasca International Inc., the new Level 7 FTD will provide helicopter pilot trainees and

instructors with the most up-to-date flight training simulator available. The Frasca FTD system

is the first configuration of its kind in Canada, and is equipped with a 220-degree field of view

visual system, and six degrees of freedom (6-DoF) cueing and vibration systems. The device

also incorporates Frasca’s proprietary SimAssist™ software which provides varying levels of

automatic instructor assistance during the earliest phases of helicopter flight training.

The simulator will be installed at the CFTS Training Centre as part of the flight training program

led by KF Aerospace Defence Programs and supported by a pan-Canadian team consisting of

Bluedrop Training & Simulation, Canadian Helicopters (HNZ) Ltd., and Canadian Base

Operators.

“We are very pleased to provide cutting edge training systems for the CFTS Program.

Introducing devices like the new Bell 206 FTD is one example of how we’re continually honing

our training system to provide exceptional service, efficiency, and throughput for our Canadian

Armed Forces customer,” said Peter Fedak, Site Manager for the CFTS program. “This new

capability will continue the CFTS program’s status as a leader in supporting the RCAF

simulation strategy. The FTD will provide the RCAF with the ability to decide what flight

training regimes are best suited for simulation and which operations require an actual aircraft.

This will ensure that RCAF aircrew receive the right training, to the right people, and at the right

time.”

Tracy Medve, President of KF Aerospace added, “In addition to enhancing our ability to train

emergency and other procedures, the new simulator will yield cost benefits as it will eliminate

the need to increase our flying fleet by four aircraft. The new FTD may also be adaptable to the

future rotary wing training requirements of DND’s FAcT program.”

The CFTS Program trains 100% of the pilot candidates seeking to become Royal Canadian Air

Force pilots, and has a majority role in training 80% of new pilots inducted into the RCAF every

year. KF Aerospace also provides the Lead-in Air Navigator Training Course (LANTC) to all

potential Air Combat Systems Officers (ACSO’s) for the RCAF.

The Bell 206 FTD will begin service with the CFTS program in April of 2018.

MANNARINO AWARDED LARGEST EVER CANADIAN SME OFFSET INVESTMENT BY LOCKHEED MARTIN

Mannarino Systems & Software Inc. (MANNARINO) announced today that it has signed an Investment Framework Agreement under the Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy with Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), which represents the largest investment ever made by Lockheed Martin into a Canadian Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME). This agreement enables MANNARINO to develop and commercialize its own proprietary airborne software products and will complement MANNARINO’s existing airborne engineering and certification services offering. 

The offset investment behind Lockheed Martin’s framework investment is in direct support of Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) obligations associated with Canada’s purchase and In-Service Support maintenance, and support of 17 CC-130J Super Hercules aircraft, which were delivered to the Royal Canadian Air Force in 2010.

“MANNARINO’s investment agreements with Lockheed Martin have been a key factor in our steady growth. MANNARINO has always been recognized for its professionalism and expertise as a world-class engineering services company. This particular investment will be the springboard that propels our company into the airborne software products business. Our decision to diversify the company offering was based on the feedback received from our existing customers on their current and future program requirements. We will keep the industry apprised of our product ventures throughout the various phases of the evolution of our products and welcome continued input from customers on their software product needs” said John Mannarino, president and founder of Mannarino Systems & Software.

This important and groundbreaking investment by Lockheed Martin into MANNARINO will result in job creation of 20+ engineering R&D positions, as well as new jobs in product commercialization, all at MANNARINO’s offices in Montreal, Quebec.

“We are very pleased to see our Investment Framework grant going to such a solid small and medium enterprise as MANNARINO” said Charles Bouchard, chief executive of Lockheed Martin Canada. “We have been impressed by MANNARINO’s track record as an engineering services firm in the development and certification of software products that are globally competitive and are proud to support such an innovative organization. The success of this framework investment is an example of how large international aerospace companies such as Lockheed Martin can collaborate with smaller businesses in Canada to create opportunities for lasting growth in the Canadian economy.”

VIA RAILMARKS 100th ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE OF VIMY RIDGE

Montreal, April 4, 2017 – VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) has partnered with the Vimy Foundation (the Foundation) to help commemorate the centennial of the Battle of Vimy Ridge this week, in order to mark this pivotal event from World War I and honour the military community. Throughout the month of April, trains in the Québec City-Windsor Corridor will don a special logo created to commemorate the event, which includes the Vimy monument and the date of the Battle. From April 3 to 9 – VIA Rail will distribute Vimy monument pins to passengers onboard certain trains. This initiative affirms VIA Rail’s support for the Foundation, which has, among other projects, contributed to building a new Education Centre for Canadian First World War History and the 100th anniversary of victory at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in France. The inauguration of the new Centre, built near the current Canadian commemorative monument, will be held on April 8 as part of the Vimy commemoration.

"April 9th will be the 100th anniversary of a moment that helped shape the Canada we know today: the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Commemorative ceremonies in Canada and in France will honour the courage and sacrifice of the Canadians who served in that conflict, especially of those who gave their lives."

- Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

“The Battle of Vimy Ridge has remained such a key part of our collective understanding as a country not only because it was a military victory, but because many of the core Canadian values were a contributing factor to its success: leadership, innovation, teamwork. So many Canadians across the country and the globe are coming together on April 9, to commemorate the Battle and the sacrifice. Through their commitment, Via Rail is helping spread awareness of Vimy, and Canada’s coming of age.”

-Jeremy Diamond, Executive Director of the Vimy Foundation.

“VIA Rail’s support for the Vimy Foundation reflects our continued commitment to pay tribute to the courage and determination of Canada's military community. By handing out these pins to our passengers and displaying the Vimy monument on our trains, we perform our duty of remembrance. Lest we forget!”

- Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, President and Chief Executive Officer of VIA Rail Canada

VIA Rail and the military community

Maintaining a long and proud tradition of supporting members of the military and veteran communities, VIA Rail has become involved with a number of military organizations. In addition to its involvement with the Vimy Foundation, the Corporation supports the military community through partnerships with the Royal Canadian Legion’s national Poppy Campaign, True Patriot Love, Wounded Warriors Canada, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services and the Canadian Army Run. Over the past few years, VIA Rail has also entered into several partnerships with organizations that help former Canadian military members make the transition to civilian life, such as the Canada Company Military Employment Transition Program and the Commissionaire’s MISSION EMPLOI.

VIA Rail also offers a 25% discount on the best available fare to members of the Canadian Forces, as well as veterans and their families. Since 2010, over 160,000 military personnel have taken advantage of this offer and travelled on VIA Rail trains.

More recently, VIA Rail’s President and Chief Executive Officer accepted the appointment of Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the Régiment de Maisonneuve, as well as a mandate to strengthen the essential link between the military and Montréal's civilian community, and promote the esprit de corps.

On March 18, 2017, VIA Rail was honoured as the best employer in Québec by the Canadian Forces Liaison Council (CFLC). Over the past few years, VIA Rail has increased its efforts to support Canada’s Reserve Forces and encourage more veterans to join its staff. The Crown Corporation has, among other initiatives, worked with its reservist employees to implement a new leave policy allowing them to continue their military training or participate in temporary missions during military operations in Canada and abroad.

For more information on VIA Rail initiatives, visit its military community web site at: http://career.viarail.ca/en/why-choose-us/veterans-program.

About the Vimy Foundation

The Vimy Foundation is a charitable foundation whose mission is to preserve and promote Canada’s First World War legacy, best symbolized with the victory at Vimy Ridge in April 1917. The Foundation is dedicated to creating opportunities for young Canadians to learn about this legacy, and has developed education programs to help youth learn more about the sacrifices made by an entire generation 100 years ago. The Vimy Pilgrimage Award and the Beaverbrook Vimy Prize scholarship programs offer students the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Canada’s history, travelling to Europe each year to visit the important sites of Canada’s First and Second World War history.

On April 8, 2017, the Vimy Foundation in partnership with Veteran Affairs Canada will be unveiling of state-of-the-art Vimy Visitor Education Centre ($5 million raised by generous donations to the Vimy Foundation while $5 million was committed by the Government of Canada) near the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. The site will be open to the public on April 10.

The Visitor Education Centre at Vimy will give visitors context as to why Canadians fought and died there; why Vimy remains special to the Canadian soul; and how Vimy, and other First World War battles at which Canadians fought, forever altered Canada’s status on the world stage.

About VIA Rail Canada

As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail (viarail.ca) and its 2,600 employees are mandated to provide safe, efficient and economical passenger transportation service, in both official languages of our country. VIA Rail operates intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking over 400 communities across Canada, and many more communities through intermodal partnerships, and safely transports nearly four million passengers annually. The Corporation was awarded seven Safety Awards by the Railway Association of Canada over the last eight years. For more information, visit: www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail.

Kaney Aerospace Acquires BVR Technologies from Esterline

ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, 29 March, 2017 – Kaney Aerospace, an engineering, manufacturing and technology company serving Tier 1 and airframe prime manufacturers, announces the completion of its acquisition of BVR Technologies Co. from Esterline Corporation (NYSE:ESL).

The combined company will operate as Kaney Aerospace with a workforce of over 120 employees primarily in Rockford, Illinois, with annual sales in excess of $20 million to the aerospace and medical equipment industries. Kaney Aerospace counts industry leaders such as Boeing, Embraer, GE Aviation, Honeywell, Rockwell Collins, Sikorsky, Stryker Medical, Toshiba, United Technologies and Woodward as its customers.

Kaney Aerospace CEO Jeffrey Kaney stated, “This acquisition is in perfect alignment with our growth strategy of expanding our customer base and market presence with established product lines and proven manufacturing excellence. Our goal is to continuously provide world class value to our customers and our team.” 

Kaney Aerospace has been headquartered in Rockford since 2006, with additional operations in the states of Ohio and Washington, as well as in the United Kingdom. BVR Technologies, also based in Rockford, is known for its actuation and motion control products. BVR designs and manufactures gear trains, sensors, and electronic packages for its actuators and servos, as well as the SVO-5000 autopilot actuator that is a component of Rockwell Collins’ Pro Line Fusion* integrated avionics system.

Ron Soave, president of Kaney Aerospace, said, “BVR complements and significantly adds to Kaney Aerospace’s engineering expertise in test equipment, system engineering and product development, as well expanding our FAA Part 145 repair station capabilities. The experience and excellence of our combined workforce, along with BVR’s established motion control, indication and sensing products provides a roadmap for growth that we are confident will be immediate and steady.”

About Kaney Aerospace

Kaney Aerospace is an engineering, manufacturing and technology company headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, with operations globally. Its product offerings include high-precision, high-reliability motion and position-control actuation solutions, test equipment, aircraft harnesses, laboratory architecture and operation, large-scale systems integration test and system engineering. Accreditations include Certified Veteran-Owned Small Business, FAA, EASA, AS9100, ITAR and FAA Part 145 Repair Station. Go to http://kaneyaerospace.com for more information.

France and the UK launch next-generation strike missile project with MBDA

Today in London, the United Kingdom and France have signed an agreement to launch a joint concept phase of the Future Cruise / Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) programme with MBDA. The agreement was signed by Laurent Collet-Billon, head of France’s Defence Procurement Agency (DGA - Direction générale de l’armement), and Harriet Baldwin, UK Minister of Defence Procurement.

Running for up to three years, the aim of the concept phase is to lay the ground work and inform the UK and France’s decision making and requirements for a potential follow on assessment and demonstration phase of the next generation of cruise and anti-ship missiles, with a planned operational capability to be achieved by the end of the next decade.

Valued at 100 M€, work on the FC/ASW concept phase will be split 50/50 in terms of both quantity and quality of content between the UK and France. The effort will see MBDA mature systems and technologies that will increase the survivability, range and lethality of anti-ship and deep strike missiles launched by both air and naval combat platforms. The DGA will act as the contract authority for the concept phase with MBDA.

Equally funded by France and the UK, the FC/ASW programme is a product of the very close Anglo-French defence relationship set out by the Lancaster House treaties. The FC/ASW Concept Phase is the latest step in the two countries’ highly successful collaboration on missile technologies through MBDA. This joint work has allowed the two countries to develop a range of world-class missile systems, such as Storm Shadow/SCALP, Meteor, Aster, and Sea Venom/ANL; to rationalise the development and production of missiles through the ‘OneMBDA’ organisation; and to harmonise the research and technology efforts of both nations across their entire missile industrial sector through the MCM-ITP (Missile Components and Materials – Innovation and Technology Partnership) programme.

Harriett Baldwin said: “Our relationship with France is strong and enduring. We have a long history of cooperation in defence and security with our European Ally. As demonstrated by having Europe’s largest defence budget, the UK is committed to European security and we will continue to collaborate on joint defence programmes across the continent. Today’s agreement will sustain 80 jobs in the UK.”

Laurent Collet-Billon said: “We are launching today a major new phase in our bilateral cooperation, by planning together a generation of missiles, successor to the Exocet, Harpoon, SCALP and Storm Shadow. The FC/ASW (future cruise/anti-ship weapon) programme’s aim is to have by around 2030 a new generation of missiles. This future capability is strategic, industrially as well as operationally.  This new programme will be the backbone of our “One Complex Weapons” initiative.”

Welcoming the news, Antoine Bouvier, CEO of MBDA, said: “This agreement secures the strategic autonomy of France and UK’s deep strike capabilities for the future. After the ratification last year of the Anglo-French agreement authorising us to operate OneMBDA centres of excellence, the FC/ASW project opens the next page of MBDA’s European strategy. Through this strategy we aim to work in even closer partnership with our domestic military customers in order to converge their requirements, while streamlining our own industrial processes across borders. Only this form of co-operation will allow European industry to continue delivering exceptional products and sustain the long-term critical mass needed to keep providing Europe with independent access to key sovereign technologies.”

Dave Armstrong, Managing Director of MBDA UK and Group Director of Sales and Business Development, added: “FC/ASW represents the future of deep strike capability in Europe. The programme is of strategic importance to MBDA, who will lead a team gathering industrial champions from both nations, and will ensure that the UK and France remain at the cutting edge of missile technologies well into the future.”

Via Rail recognized by Canadian forces as one of the best employers of reservists

Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, President and CEO, VIA Rail Canada; Lieutenant Sebastien Langlais, Combat engineer officer, 34 Combat Engineer Regiment and Senior project manager, Rolling stock, VIA Rail Canada; Major Daniel Doran, 34 Combat Engineer Regiment; and Warrant Officer Jean-Philippe Léonard, 34 Combat Engineer Regiment.

Montréal, March 18, 2017 –VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) was honoured today as the best employer in Quebec by the Canadian Forces Liaison Council (CFLC) in recognition of the company’s outstanding support for members of Canada’s Reserve Forces. VIA Rail received the “Award of Excellence for Best Practice in Employer Support for Canada’s Reserve Forces” at a ceremony held at the Charles-Michel de Salaberry Armoury in Laval. The event was attended by nearly a hundred representatives from the military community and hosted by Brigadier General Louis de Sousa.

Over the past few years, VIA Rail has increased its efforts to support Canada’s Reserve Forces and to encourage more veterans to join its staff. The Crown corporation has, among other initiatives, worked with its reservist employees to implement a new leave policy allowing employees who are in the Reserves to continue their military training or participate in temporary missions during military operations in Canada and abroad.

Maintaining a long and proud tradition of supporting members of the military and veteran communities, VIA Rail has also entered into various partnerships with organizations such as the Canada Company Military Employment Transition Program, and the Commissionaire’s MISSION EMPLOI, both of which help former Canadian military members make the transition to civilian life.

“This honour reflects VIA Rail’s commitment to serve and support the dedicated men and women in uniform who make daily sacrifices for Canada,” said the President and Chief Executive Officer of VIA Rail, Yves Desjardins-Siciliano. “Veterans and reservists are a real asset to our company. VIA Rail can benefit greatly from their technical expertise, experience, discipline, and leadership, and we have a duty to facilitate their transition and integration to the civilian workplace.”

Involvement with the military community

In addition to its partnerships with veteran-hiring groups, VIA Rail also supports the military community through partnerships with the Royal Canadian Legion’s national Poppy Campaign, True Patriot Love, and the Canadian Army Run. VIA Rail has also partnered with the Vimy Foundation for the inauguration of the new Interpretation Centre for Canadian History and the centennial of victorious Battle of Vimy Ridge in France.

Furthermore, VIA Rail offers a 25% reduction on the best available fare to members of the Canadian Forces, as well as veterans and their families. Since 2010, over 160,000 military personnel have taken advantage of this offer and travelled on VIA Rail trains.

For more information on VIA Rail initiatives, visit its military community web site at: http://career.viarail.ca/en/why-choose-us/veterans-program.

About VIA Rail Canada

As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail (viarail.ca) and its 2,600 employees are mandated to provide safe, efficient and economical passenger transportation service, in both official languages of our country. VIA Rail operates intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking over 400 communities across Canada, and about 180 more communities through intermodal partnerships, and safely transports nearly four million passengers annually. The Corporation was awarded seven Safety Awards by the Railway Association of Canada over the last eight years. For more information, visit: www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail.

Irving Shipbuilding invests $4.5 million in Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE)

Investment will support COVE’s operations and ocean technology programs

(HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA) March 16, 2017 – Irving Shipbuilding Inc. announced today a multi-million dollar investment to support marine innovation and commercialization in Nova Scotia and across Canada.

Irving Shipbuilding is investing $4.52 million in the newly established Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE), an ocean innovation centre to be located on the waterfront in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The investment over the next five years represents the largest private sector contribution COVE has received to date.

At COVE, ocean science research, start-ups, R&D-intensive companies, industry, and Nova Scotia post-secondary institutions will work together to create a cluster of marine innovation and commercialization, and become global leaders.

Irving Shipbuilding’s funding is part of its Value Proposition commitments under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) – Canada’s 30-year plan to renew the fleets of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard. The funding will support the establishment of various operations and programs at COVE.

COVE, operated by the Institute for Ocean Research Enterprise (IORE), is in the early stages of transforming a former Canadian Coast Guard facility on the Halifax Harbour into extensive marine facilities with two large, deep-water piers, office space, a start-up incubator and space for shops and labs.

The federal and provincial governments are also supporting the establishment of COVE. In September 2016, the Government of Canada committed $7.17 million and the Province of Nova Scotia committed $12.55 million to support the refurbishment of the site and development of facilities at COVE.

By bringing together all elements of the ocean ecosystem, COVE will generate technical and commercial synergy through co-location; train, attract and retain ocean talent; share resources; and further enhance the global reputation of Canada’s marine technology cluster.

In 2011, Irving Shipbuilding was selected by the Government of Canada to construct Canada’s future naval combatant fleet and committed to investing 0.5% of its contract revenues in creating a sustainable marine industry across Canada. This will amount to approximately $12.5M over the construction of Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS), the first class of vessel under construction at Irving Shipbuilding’s Halifax Shipyard as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

This is an exciting time at Halifax Shipyard as it constructs Canada’s future naval fleet.  Currently, the shipyards 1,500 shipbuilders are hard at work building Canada’s first two AOPS, the future HMCS Harry DeWolf and the future HMCS Margaret Brooke. The first AOPS is scheduled to be delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy in 2018.

Quotes

The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board

“Irving Shipbuilding’s investment in COVE helps grow Canada’s marine innovation and commercialization cluster, a key part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.  Halifax is home to world-class centres of excellence for shipbuilding and marine innovation, which are greatly contributing to our ocean based economy.”

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

“These investments by governments and industry are going to position Canada as a global centre for innovation. That means making Canada a world leader in turning ideas into solutions, science into technologies, skills into middle-class jobs and start-up companies into global successes.”

The Honourable Kelly Regan, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education

“Nova Scotia's economy is impacted by our geography; from shipbuilding to ocean tech, we're advantaged by our seaside location. Through government and private sector investments, like Irving Shipbuilding’s investment in COVE, we are well on our way to building a top-calibre ocean technology cluster in Nova Scotia. This will put us on the map as one of the best places in the world to do ocean-based technology research and development.”

Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament, Dartmouth-Cole Harbour

"Today's announcement shows the strength in Atlantic Canadian shipbuilding, ocean science and innovation. The COVE project is an excellent example of industry and government working together to grow our economy."

Kevin McCoy, President, Irving Shipbuilding Inc.

“Irving Shipbuilding is proud to support COVE and contribute to Canada’s vibrant ocean economy. On one side of Halifax harbour we have the most modern shipyard in North America where our 1,500 shipbuilders are proudly building Canada’s future fleet. Almost directly across the harbour we will soon welcome COVE, the world’s most innovative ocean technology incubator. This is a shining example of the National Shipbuilding Strategy creating a sustainable and vibrant marine industry in Canada.”

Jim Hanlon, Chief Executive Officer, Institute for Ocean Research Enterprise

“We are so pleased to celebrate the contribution from Irving Shipbuilding supporting the operation of the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship - COVE. Unique in the world, COVE will bring together ocean sector start-ups, small and large industry and commercialization experts to move the region and the country to the forefront of the new knowledge-based ocean economy.”

F-35 successfully conducts first firings of MBDA’s ASRAAM

The F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet has successfully conducted its first firing trials of the MBDA

Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM).

The trials are the first time a British-designed missile has been fired from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter,

and the first time any non-US missile has been fired from the aircraft.

Conducted from both Naval Air Station Patuxent River and Edwards Air Force Base in the USA, the

effort has seen both flight trials and air-launched firings of the ASRAAM successfully take place.

MBDA is currently under contract, awarded in 2016, to produce the highly capable infra-red (IR)

guided air-to-air missile for the UK’s F-35s. ASRAAM’s large rocket motor and clean aerodynamic

design gives it a high kinematic capability that delivers superior end-game performance compared

with other countries’ in-service IR missiles.

The trials were conducted by the integrated test teams at Patuxent and Edwards, which include

Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, MBDA and Northrop Grumman.

The development trials work is being conducted under the integration programme for ASRAAM onto

the UK’s F-35 aircraft. This effort is currently progressing to plan and these integration activities will

allow the Initial Operating Capability of the aircraft by the UK.

MBDA is also under contract for the ASRAAM Capability Sustainment Programme (CSP) to build

replenishment missiles for the Royal Air Force’s Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. The CSP effort makes

use of ASRAAM’s commonality with the CAMM missile family, also being bought by the Royal Navy

and British Army, to deliver extensive cost savings across the UK Armed Forces.

Multimillion-dollar order from America – Rheinmetall to supply ammunition for the F-35 stealth multirole fighter

Rheinmetall has just booked an order from the US Air Force to supply ammunition for the F-35 stealth multirole fighter. The contract, worth over US$6.5 million (6.2 € million), encompasses the supply of several ten thousand rounds in four lots. Delivery starts in December 2017.

The order is of major strategic significance to Rheinmetall for two reasons. For one thing, the US Air Force is currently procuring the F-35 on a large scale, with 1,200 planes on order. Numerous other nations have opted for the new aircraft as well, among them Denmark, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, Turkey and Japan. For another, the ammunition selected – the new 25mm x 137 Frangible Armour Piercing (FAP) – complements Rheinmetall’s existing array of high-performance aircraft ammunition, allowing the Düsseldorf, Germany-based Group to bring its full expertise to bear in the field of aircraft armament. This means that further major orders can be expected, especially since the first user nations are already ordering smaller amounts of this advanced ammunition for testing purposes.

The FAP round was specifically developed by Rheinmetall for, and in conjunction with, NATO air forces to provide the F-35 with superior lethality against modern Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) at extreme slant ranges while still remaining deadly against enemy aircraft in air-to-air engagements. The 25mm x 137 FAP is a true all-purpose cartridge that is already in service with the F-35s of two NATO nations.

Manufacture of the ammunition for the US Air Force will take place at Rheinmetall Switzerland. Rheinmetall intends to have the ammunition of possible follow-up contracts assembled in the USA by Rheinmetall Day & Zimmermann Munitions (RDZM), a joint venture that operates out of Rosslyn, Virginia. American Rheinmetall Munitions and Day & Zimmermann established the joint venture in autumn 2016. Other potential customers will be supplied from locations belonging to Rheinmetall Waffe Munition Schweiz AG.

Seaspan is pleased to announce the following new senior leadership appointments:

Seaspan Ferries

Steve Roth has been promoted to President of Seaspan Ferries Corporation (SFC). In this position, Steve will continue to have the primary accountability for the overall performance of the SFC business unit, including management of day-to-day operations of SFC, as well as the short and long-term strategic planning processes, including setting and fulfilling revenue and profitability targets and maintaining relationships with all stakeholders. He is also responsible for ensuring that customer service expectations are met or exceeded while ensuring the safe operation of SFC’s vessels, its terminals and its people. In addition, Steve joins Seaspan’s Executive Leadership Team and will participate in establishing Seaspan’s overall strategy and direction. 

Steve originally joined the company almost 12 years ago in April 2005, serving as Vice President, Fleet Logistics – Seaspan Marine. Following that, he held positions as Vice President, Business Development – Seaspan Marine and most recently as Vice President – SFC. During his time at Seaspan, Steve has set a consistent standard of excellence in everything he’s done, including the most recent construction and delivery of SFC’s two new LNG vessels on-time and on-budget and the soon-to-be completed terminal modernizations.

Vancouver Shipyards

Paul Thomas has been promoted to Senior Vice President and General Manager – Vancouver Shipyards (VSY). In this new role, Paul will continue to be an integral member of and contributor to Seaspan’s Senior Leadership Team and will have overall accountability for VSY operations, engineering, project planning, performance, execution, profitability and client satisfaction, while exercising full authority to manage and administer all facets of the VSY business.

Paul joined the company in April 2014 as Director – Ship Construction and was promoted shortly thereafter to Vice President – Engineering. Prior to joining VSY, he spent the majority of his career at BAE Systems in Melbourne, Australia, where he held various executive management roles. He has more than 20 years of experience in the shipbuilding and heavy project construction industries, and has worked on a number of major shipbuilding programs including the ANZAC Frigate, Air Warfare Destroyer and Landing Helicopter Dock Programs for the Australian Navy, as well as Project Protector for the Royal New Zealand Navy. Since joining VSY, Paul has consistently strived for excellence in efficiency and customer services and has been a strong proponent for process improvement and effectively troubleshooting some of our most challenging issues during start-up of the FFR non-combat contracts.

With his promotion to SVP and GM, Paul is pleased to announce the promotion of John Petticrew to Vice President, Engineering. John now serves on Seaspan’s Senior Leadership Team and is accountable for engineering and design on all new construction activities. Key responsibilities include leading the engineering team in the creation of designs and work packages for the execution of new construction work as well as directing the development and maintenance of engineering standards. This role also carries the critical importance of directing the ongoing management of key subcontractor relationships, including Tier 1 partners, who play an integral role in the design process.

John has a long career in shipbuilding and infrastructure construction with over 39 years of experience, spanning three different continents. He joined the company from Gulf Marine Services W.L.L. in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Prior to that, he acted in a senior leadership capacity for energy and drydock companies in the Middle East. And, before that, he served in a number of different roles over the course of three decades at Saint John Shipbuilding in New Brunswick, including 16 years at Irving Shipbuilding.

Andy Hale has been promoted to the position of Vice President – Program Delivery. In this role, Andy is responsible for the execution and delivery of large, complex shipbuilding contracts and programs. He is also accountable for the profit and loss performance of each project and has full authority to manage and administer all facets of each new construction program.

Andy joined Vancouver Shipyards (VSY) in August 2014 as Program Director – Joint Support Ship (JSS). Andy joined the company from the Naval Reactors Headquarters in Washington, DC, where he worked as Program Manager – Prototype/Moored Training Ship Operations, Maintenance and Inactivations.  Prior to that, he worked as a Program Manager - Head, Submarine Security & Technology for Chief Naval Operations also in Washington, DC. He has also served as a Commanding Officer on the USS Sante Fe, a Deputy Commander for Submarine Squadron Fifteen, a Commanding Officer on the USS San Francisco, and a Major Commander/Commanding Officer on the USS Ohio. Andy graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, and earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

John Lyle has been hired as Vice President – Operations. In this role, John is responsible for the oversight and direction of all operations, manufacturing, ship construction, performance improvement and Accuracy/Quality control in support of new vessel construction while meeting cost, schedule, quality, safety and environmental goals. He will also provide leadership to production trades and is also responsible for the profit and loss performance for VSY’s vessel repair business.

John’s shipbuilding career is in its 50th year and he takes great pride in the role he is playing in coaching and mentoring the next generation of Canadian shipbuilders. Over the past 49 years, he has participated in well over 150 sea trials, as part of the construction and delivery of 97 ships of all types and sizes (including combat and non-combat vessels).  He began his career at 16 years old as an Engineering Apprentice with Scotts Shipbuilding Company in Greenock, Scotland. In 1981, he moved to Lockheed Shipbuilding Company in Seattle, Washington where he served as a Steel Erection Manager, Ships Superintendent and Shipyard Manager. In 1988, John was recruited by NASSCO in San Diego as a Steel Assembly Manager. He held a variety of positions at NASSCO throughout the years, eventually becoming Director of Ship’s Management. John earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Architecture in 1973 from the Paisley College of Technology in Scotland. He also completed postgraduate work in Shipyard Production Technology and Industrial Management at the University of Washington.

Seaspan ULC Announces Retirement of Chief Executive Officer, Appoints Successor

Vancouver, BC – On behalf of its Board of Directors, Seaspan ULC (Seaspan) announced today that long-serving Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jonathan Whitworth, will be retiring at the end of 2017.

Jonathan announced to the Board in 2016 his timeline to retirement. A search for his successor immediately commenced and Seaspan is also pleased to announce that Frank Butzelaar, President and CEO of a related company, Southern Rail Link (SRY), has been identified as Jonathan’s permanent replacement effective April 3, 2017. Frank’s transition will commence on March 3 and he will continue to work closely with Jonathan throughout 2017 to ensure a smooth handover.

Due to the magnitude and specialization of the National Shipbuilding Strategy Non-Combat contracts, Brian Carter, President – Seaspan Shipyards, will continue to report to Jonathan until year-end and then will report directly to the Board of Directors.

A dynamic, passionate and visionary leader, Jonathan played an instrumental role in transforming the organization under his direction since his arrival in 2009. He took a highly innovative approach to revitalizing Seaspan, a 130-year old company, by focusing on preserving the core of its historical successes while stimulating growth. During this time, Seaspan has modernized its fleet and facilities, matured its operations to meet international standards and invested in technology to drive optimal efficiency, while dramatically improving its safety culture and decreasing the lost time injury rate by 200%.

Some key accomplishments of the Seaspan team over the past eight years include:

Investing $500M in new capital along all business lines

Acquiring four marine companies in four different business units

In 2011, winning the $8B non-combat vessel contract to build state-of-the-art ships for the Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy, under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. VSY will build up to 17 vessels, over the next 10 to 15 years.

Creating 1300 new jobs (doubling the work force in eight years)

Committing $250M to new terminal upgrades and five new ferries which will be the first dual-fuel hybrid vessels (LNG, diesel and lithium batteries) in North America

Building a number of new marine assets, including four state-of-the-art harbour and escort tugs and 14 new barges at VSY, and four new large barges, adding a total increase of 50% increased carrying capacity to Seaspan’s fleet.

While Seaspan is happy for him personally, the organization will miss Jonathan and the many contributions he has made to the Washington Companies since joining the group.

Jonathan said:

“It is with mixed emotions that I am announcing my retirement. I informed the Board of Directors in 2016 that I intended to transition to retirement by the end of 2017. With the support of the Washington Companies, a search for a successor was initiated immediately. I’m happy that my successor is someone from within the Washington Companies and am confident that this choice will ensure the sustainability and growth of Seaspan. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to partner with Frank on a number of projects, and am thrilled that a seasoned transportation executive such as him will be at the helm. 

Although I am still young, I have had a long-term goal to retire while I am healthy and capable of enjoying my family, hobbies and new adventures for many years to come. For me personally, working with the Seaspan team for the last eight years exceeded my expectations, and I cannot think of a better company with which to have ended my working career. I could not have asked for better co-workers or a more supportive ownership and Board of Directors, and the hardest part of retiring is knowing that I will no longer be able to work alongside the best employees in the business.

I am incredibly proud of playing a part in Seaspan’s success, and I’m equally convinced that under the leadership of Frank and the rest of the executive team there will be many more great years to come. I will continue to work with Seaspan and the Washington Companies on a transition plan, with the specific objective of supporting Brian Carter and the team at Vancouver Shipyards as they continue to focus on delivering the Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

Thank you for your support, dedication, and friendship over the last eight years. I wish you all the best and I can’t wait to watch Seaspan as it continues to grow and prosper.”

Frank has been with SRY since 1993, where he started as a Project Analyst before progressing in his career to President and CEO in 2008. The Board of Directors unanimously selected Frank as Jonathan’s successor based on his demonstrated ability to develop and lead high performance teams. Frank resides in Vancouver, B.C. with his wife and his three daughters. In response to his appointment as CEO, Frank said:

“I am grateful and humbled for the confidence and opportunity that the Board of Directors has offered me. I look forward to transitioning to Seaspan and to learning from and serving the men and women of the company. I’m excited to work with all of Seaspan’s employees, customers and other key partners as we continue to build on the strong foundation that Jonathan and the team have established.”

“The vision for Seaspan has always been to Passionately Deliver the Best Marine Solutions to serve our clients while growing the organization and providing a safe and positive work environment,” said Kyle Washington, Chairman – Seaspan ULC. “Frank is the ideal candidate to guide the Seaspan team into the future and continue the tradition of excellence. Both Jonathan and Frank are making exciting transitions; I look forward to a bright future for them and the entire Seaspan team.”

Team Spartan Challenges FSWAR Ruling in Federal Court

Esprit de Corps was able to get up close and personal inside Team Spartan's C-27J aircraft in December 2015 during a stop at the Gatineau Airport. On December 8, 2016 the Government of Canada announced that Airbus Defence and Space's C295W had won the fixed-wing search and rescue contract. One month later, competitor Team Spartan filed an application for a judicial review. (Photo by Richard Lawrence)

OTTAWA, February 23, 2017 – By filing an application for judicial review on January 6th 2017 before the Federal Court, Team Spartan formally challenged the decision of Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) to award the FWSAR Contract to Airbus.
 
Team Spartan’s main allegation is that the selected airplane is unfit to safely perform certain key Search and Rescue tasks and missions required by Canada and should have been, therefore, disqualified.
 
Based on the above, Team Spartan has applied to the Federal Court for an order requesting that Canada cancel the contract with Airbus and award same to Leonardo.
 
Team Spartan remains committed to ensuring that Canada receives the best cost-effective solution for the FWSAR mission.
 
Media Inquiries:
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Michael Plastino
(613) 786-9946
michael.plastino@hkstrategies.ca
 
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Background Info
 
C-27J Spartan: aircraft reliability is essential for Canada’s FWSAR
 
The C-27J is the only aircraft in its class with the speed and range to respond to SAR incidents across Canada’s entire area of responsibility while operating from Canada’s existing base structure.
 
Other capabilities that make the C-27J the best choice for FWSAR include:
 
·         APU, Auxiliary Power Unit that guarantees the aircraft autonomous operations, and safety during the long range missions
·         Highly maneuverable, able to fly in the tight confines of western Canada mountain ranges.
·         Exceptional short take-off and landing capability, including on unprepared airfields, which is highly important given the rugged environments frequently found across Canada’s search and rescue area.
·         A higher and wider cabin (8’ high by nearly 11’ wide) provides more space for SAR Techs to operate and allows for the cabin area to be set-up in the ideal configuration for safe and efficient SAR operations.
·         Qualified for operation in extreme temperature conditions, from -53°C to +50°C.
 
Peruvian C-27J supports Chile firefighting effort
 
The Peruvian Government recently brought aid to the neighbouring Andean country of Chile, hit by devastating fires that ravaged the south-central mountains. Two C-27J Spartans, belonging to the Grupo Aéreo N°8 of the Callao Air Base of the Peruvian Air Force (FAP), were used to transport firefighting material and specialists to Chile, including a 55 man firefighting brigade of the Civil Defence Institute (INDECI) that began operations in the Maule Region. One of the two C-27Js made a long non-stop flight, landing in Santiago de Chile's "Arturo Merino Benitez" International Airport after little more than five hours.
 
Versatile, multi-role C-27J aircraft is perfectly suited for humanitarian assistance and emergency support, such as in the case of the devastating fires that hit Chile. It can easily transport materials, equipment and men without the need for land-based support, thanks to the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit), and perform landings and take-offs on unprepared landing strips. C-27J Spartan is also ideal – without any modification to the aircraft – for firefighting missions, thanks to its capability to perform safe airdrops of special water/ retardant containers.
 
Australia’s C-27J reaches Initial Operations Capability
 
Australia’s C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifter has achieved initial operating capability (IOC), Minister for Defence Senator Marise Payne announced. “The Spartan can access airfields that are unable to support larger transport aircraft, thus increasing the reach for Defence when supporting communities across Australia and throughout the Asia Pacific region,” Minister Payne said in a statement. To date, RAAF has received four of the 10 C-27J Spartans Australia has on order. The aircraft are operated by 35 Squadron out of RAAF Base Richmond while facilities at their permanent home at RAAF Base Amberley are being built.
 
Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Leo Davies described the C-27J Spartan as the missing piece in Australia’s air mobility matrix. “The arrival of the Spartan will greatly increase the mobility and flexibility for local commanders, allowing intra-theatre airlift that will bridge C-130J Hercules and CH-47 Chinook options,” AIRMSHL Davies said. Final operational capability (FOC) was expected to occur in December 2017.

The C-27J Spartan proven in Search And Rescue missions
 
The C-27J Spartan is worldwide considered as the benchmark in the new-generation, medium multi-mission airlifter category. The C-27J is a twin-engine, turboprop, tactical transport aircraft with state-of-the-art technology in avionics, propulsion and systems. It provides high performance, extreme operating flexibility and cost efficiency and it is the only aircraft in its class capable of interoperability with heavier airlifters.
 
The C-27J can perform a variety of missions including transport of troops, goods and medicines, logistical re-supply, MEDEVAC, airdrop operations, paratroopers’ launches, ISR/ISTAR, Tactical Support, Search And Rescue (SAR), firefighting, humanitarian assistance, oil spill relief, and operations in support of homeland security.
 
The C-27J is equipped with modern avionics and efficient propulsion system (Rolls Royce AE2100-D2A, assuring a 4,650 SHP). The architecture of its avionics system is completely redundant, thus increasing the level of mission security and reliability and permitting operation in any environment condition and in any operational scenario.
 
The C-27J, thanks to a loading system, perfectly compatible with that of the C-130, can carry pallets weighing up to 4,550 kg and 2.20 metre tall, or platforms with a length of 12 ft, weighing up 6,000 kg.
 
The C-27J is capable of taking off from and landing on unprepared strips less-than-500 m. long, with maximum take-off weight up to 31,800 kg; it may carry up to 60 equipped soldiers or up to 46 paratroopers and, in the air ambulance (MEDEVAC) version, 36 stretchers or 24 stretchers and two Patient Transport Support System (P.T.S.S), with stretchers and stowage provisions for intensive care medical equipment and six medical assistants.
 
The large cross section (2.60 metre high, 3.33 metre wide) and high floor strength (4,900 kg/m load capability) allow heavy and large military or SAR equipment and mission systems to be loaded.
 
The C-27J has been designed, developed and tested as a true military aircraft. It has obtained Military Qualification Certificate. At the same time the C-27J is airworthy to civil standards, as witnessed by its certification from the Civil Aviation Authority, EASA in 2001 for the basic configuration and subsequently EASA / FAA in 2010 for the C-27J JCA configuration.
 
The C-27J has been ordered by the air forces of Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania, Morocco, the US, Mexico, Australia, Chad, Peru, Slovak Republic and an undisclosed African customer. In total, 82 airplanes have been ordered. In US the aircraft is in service with the Army and with the US Coast Guard. The Coast Guard’s aircraft based in Sacramento, California, started last summer to fly SAR missions to support rescue operations on sea.
 
Contacts:
FWSAR@finmeccanica.com
www.c-27j.ca

Commissionaires ranked one of Canada’s best employers of 2017: Forbes

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Commissionaires has ranked among the top employers in Canada, according to Forbes’ list of Canada’s Best Employers of 2017.

Commissionaires ranked second in the industry sector and placed in the top half of the 300 employers, outranking other Canadian security services providers by a wide margin.

“We work very hard to provide a great working environment and stable employment across Canada,” said Bruce Belliveau, Chair of the National Business Management Committee, Commissionaires, and CEO of Commissionaires Nova Scotia. “Commissionaires is honoured to, once again, be recognized as one of Canada’s top employers and the highest ranked security company.”

Forbes partnered with online statistics provider Statista to survey more than 8,000 Canadian workers. The resulting list includes 300 employers across 25 industries. Canada’s best employers include corporate giants, community-based financial institutions, universities and government agencies. The employees who took part in the survey were consulted anonymously through several online access panels rather than through their employers.

The workers surveyed were asked to identify, on a scale of zero to 10, how likely they were to recommend their employer to someone else and what they thought about the other employers in their industry. 

You can see the full list www.forbes.com/canada-best-employers/list/#tab:rank

About the Forbes Survey

In collaboration with online statistics provider Statista, FORBES asked 8,000 Canadian employees – 81% full-timers – working for large firms or institutions to rate their willingness to recommend their own companies on a scale of 1 to 10. The employees who took part in the survey were consulted not via their employers but anonymously through several online access panels. Data was recorded this past September.

About Commissionaires

Commissionaires is Canada’s premier security provider and the largest private sector employer of Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP veterans. Founded on the core military values of dedication, responsibility and sense of mission, it employs 20,000 people from coast to coast to coast. It offers a wide range of security services including professional guarding, monitoring and surveillance, threat risk assessment, non-core policing, by-law enforcement, digital fingerprinting, criminal and employee background screening, investigations, and security training. The completely self-funding, not-for-profit organization generates more than $500M in annual revenue, of which approximately 95% is returned to its employees.  Its clients include a diverse range of public and private sector organizations.  

QRA Corp Launches New Engineering Analysis Tool to Reduce Cost, Streamline Delivery of Complex Aerospace and Defense Systems

QVscribe instantly flags language issues that cause over half of all design errors – reducing expensive re-work & cost overruns

Halifax, Nova Scotia — February 07, 2017 — QRA Corp, an emerging leader in Design Verification technology, launched a new engineering tool today that can significantly reduce the cost and time required to build complex systems for the defense, aerospace, and automotive industries. After a highly successful beta program, QVscribe is now available worldwide to customers looking to improve their ability to identify and repair costly vulnerabilities in their requirements documents - which if left untouched, could result in significant re-work in both the design & build phases.  

“Because of the subjectivity of language, often what’s clear to one person is misunderstood by another,” said Jordan Kyriakidis, QRA Corp CEO and President. “As easy as Spell Check, QVscribe flags potential errors right in Microsoft® Word, allowing users to immediately fix ambiguities long before they cause problems. It’s a fast, seamless and easy-to-use solution that enables more people to contribute to the requirements process in far more productive ways.”

Powered by Natural Language Processing (NLP), QVscribe turns syntactic weaknesses into strengths using a visual grading system. This enables virtually anyone to use the QVscribe analysis directly within familiar Microsoft Office® and Visure® authoring and requirements platforms to contribute to the consistency and quality that is paramount in an effective requirements program.   

According to recent studies, more than half of all engineering errors originate in the requirements stage, and the cost of fixing those errors in systems and software increases exponentially over the project life cycle.  

“Erroneous requirements contribute to 70% of the errors found during a system development project in the aerospace industry today,” said Yogananda Jeppu, Principal Systems Engineer at Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc. “Correct requirements are the need of the hour. QVscribe is an automated way of analyzing requirements for correctness. The quality metrics based on a user-defined library of words brings an early detection of errors which can improve quality upfront. QVscribe has an easy to use interface and automation that makes it a very handy tool for the engineer.”

(Views do not represent Honeywell Technology Solutions Inc.)

“As systems become more complex, and multidisciplinary teams need to work together, having a tool like QVscribe is critical for our customers,” said Fernando Valera, CTO, Visure Solutions, Inc.  “The days in which avoidable errors are introduced in the early stages of the lifecycle are thankfully coming to an end with assistive tools such as QVscribe tightly integrated within Visure Requirements.”

About QRA

QRA’s mission is to accelerate the design process and reduce costs across industries building the most complex, mission and safety critical systems – by building solutions that analyze system designs and requirements at all critical stages of development, so engineers can build better requirements, detect design errors, and build confidently. QVtrace and QVscribe are QRA’s flagship solutions that provide customers with highly sophisticated analysis, and insight backed by decades of research. For more information, visit qracorp.com