Ontario-based robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence specialist MDA has received a contract for the delivery of laser warning and countermeasure (LWCM) systems for the Canadian Surface Combatant program.
Awarded by Lockheed Martin Canada, the lead electronic warfare (EW) systems integrator for the program, the contract has an expected production value of more than CAD$60 million.
LWCM will protect the Royal Canadian Navy’s 15-strong fleet against laser and optical guided threats.
MDA said technologies developed for this program will be based on proven components and electronics similar to those used for both its space and terrestrial programs.
“MDA is excited to start work on the production of the electronic warfare suite for the Canadian Surface Combatant. We value our role on the Irving Shipbuilding and the Lockheed Martin Canada-led team that will deliver this capability to the Royal Canadian Navy and look forward to continuing to advance the program moving forward as part of our geointelligence business area,” MDA CEO Mike Greenley said.
Canada’s new CSC will be based on the BAE Systems Type 26 Global Combat Ship design and will be delivered by Irving Shipbuilding Inc. The ships that will replace Canada’s Iroquois-class destroyers and Halifax-class frigates will be built at the Halifax Shipyard as part of the country’s National Shipbuilding Strategy.
Irving Shipbuilding Inc. has engaged Lockheed Martin Canada to lead the design team, a consortium of companies that includes MDA, CAE, L3 Harris, Ultra, and BAE Systems among others, that will design the ship and integrate the CSC’s combat management system.
Canada expects to receive its first CSC ship in late 2020s, with construction on track to start in 2023/2024.
While CSC design specifications are likely to deviate to some extent from the Global Combat Ship design they are based on, the ships could be expected to displace around 7,000 tons and measure close to 150 meters in length. Envisioned as multi-purpose combatants, the ships have an integrated mission bay and hangar, capable of supporting multiple helicopters, UUVs, boats, mission loads and disaster relief stores. According to BAE Systems, the flight deck is capable of landing a Chinook helicopter for transport of embarked forces.
