Navy Canada Navy and Coastguard Archive

[Nilgiri]

A US Navy destroyer teamed up with Canada's navy to learn how to operate in harsh Arctic conditions

Ships like USS Thomas Hudner are spending more time up north, but the Navy is still playing catch up when it comes to the tough Arctic environment.

www.businessinsider.com

 

[TR_123456]

A US Navy destroyer teamed up with Canada's navy to learn how to operate in harsh Arctic conditions

Ships like USS Thomas Hudner are spending more time up north, but the Navy is still playing catch up when it comes to the tough Arctic environment.

www.businessinsider.com

Does the US Navy have any icebreaker ships?

 

[Nilgiri]

Does the US Navy have any icebreaker ships?

Yup they got a couple, but planning to increase the fleet now:

The U.S.'s Icebreaker Fleet Is Finally Getting Some Much-Needed Attention

The review comes as the Coast Guard prepares to build the nation’s first new icebreakers in more than four decades.

www.popularmechanics.com

.

It is long overdue...and is crucial part of defence strategy given the tensions and competition really commencing in arctic zone now between Russia and US+Canada.

Canada will play big role in helping US out here.

 

[Nilgiri]

Royal Canadian Navy expanding use of RemoteSpark AR remote support software

Fredericton, New Brunswick (PRWEB) September 25, 2020 -- The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has expanded its trial of the RemoteSpark Mixed Reality Remote

www.prweb.com

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has expanded its trial of the RemoteSpark Mixed Reality Remote Assistant Support (MiRRAS) system. This phase aims to evaluate RemoteSpark’s potential to improve maintenance and repairs aboard RCN vessels and systems — at-sea and in-port —, while further validating the use of mixed reality remote support leveraging the hybrid-cloud, on-premise computing functionality of the platform.

RemoteSpark MiRRAS is a secure and reliable mixed reality communication tool built for use on the Microsoft HoloLens. It allows remotely located operators to establish a low-bandwidth, secure audio and video call to operation centers, subject matter experts and decision-makers located anywhere in the world. Expert users can see what the remote user sees. Through the remote support platform, expert users can send task-relevant digital assets (PDFs, Microsoft Office files, images, multi-step animated 3D models and IoT connected digital twins) to remote users to facilitate complex troubleshooting and task guidance.

This capability will also enable the RCN to digitally deliver subject matter expert support to deployed technicians, reducing travel and time required to carry out critical maintenance.

(more at link)

 

[Nilgiri]

I'm guessing it was an RCN (Halifax) frigate...rather than a "corvette"

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-10-03/canadian-warship-sails-near-taiwan-at-time-of-heightened-china-tension

TAIPEI (REUTERS) - A Canadian warship has sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, the island's defence ministry said on Saturday, a voyage that comes at a time of heightened military tension between China and Taiwan and which could anger Beijing.

China, which claims democratic Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up its military activity around the island in the past few weeks, including sending fighter jets to cross the unofficial mid-way line buffer in the strait.

Taiwan's defence ministry said the Canadian corvette had sailed into the Taiwan Strait from the South China Sea and was heading in a northerly direction after leaving the waterway.

Taiwan's armed forces monitored the ship while it was in the strait, it said, adding that the situation was normal. The ministry did not elaborate.

Canada's navy has sailed through the Taiwan Strait before, including in September of last year.

The U.S. Navy has also been conducting regular passages through the strait.

(more at link)

 

[Nilgiri]

Canadian navy in huge international exercise in Scotland

Canadian warships are now in northern waters near Scotland as they join a huge international naval exercise called "Joint Warrior". It is one of the largest military exercises in Europe by allied nations involving not only naval, but air and ground forces as well. Canada has sent two frigates, H

www.rcinet.ca

Canadian warships are now in northern waters near Scotland as they join a huge international naval exercise called “Joint Warrior”. It is one of the largest military exercises in Europe by allied nations involving not only naval, but air and ground forces as well.

Canada has sent two frigates, HMCS Ville de Quebec, and HMCS Halifax, along with the supply vessel MV Asterix, A third frigate HMCS Toronto which was already on NATO duty in Europe has joined the fleet.

The Canadian group will act as part of the “Dragonian’ forces acting as the ‘bad guys’ in the exercise.

Some 28 surface ships and two submarines from 11 nations are taking part along with 81 aircraft and about 6,000 military personnel during the two week exercise.

(more at link)

 

[Gary]

Oh yeah

 

[Nilgiri]

Oh yeah

It is being done almost monthly, there was one last month too and PLAAF buzzed the frigate with cpl fighters apparently. We will see how they responded this time a bit later.

 

[Gary]

It is being done almost monthly, there was one last month too and PLAAF buzzed the frigate with cpl fighters apparently. We will see how they responded this time a bit later.

Yup, China just haven't realized that Canada despite it's trademark non intimidating cool as cucumber foreign policy are no pushover though, the arrest of Meng Wangzhou and it's subsequent steadfastness against CCP pressure is proof.

 

[Gary]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1312527170225410049

Yup it's a Halifax @Nilgiri

 

[Nilgiri]

Canada deploys HMCS Winnipeg to support Operation NEON

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has deployed its Halifax-class frigate HMCS Winnipeg to support Operation NEON in the East China Sea region.

www.naval-technology.com

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has deployed its Halifax-class frigate HMCS Winnipeg to support Operation NEON in the East China Sea region.

Operation NEON is Canada’s contribution to multinational efforts to monitor and disrupt North Korea’s ongoing efforts to evade UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions.

The frigate, along with its embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, will carry out its mission throughout October and November this year.

A Royal Canadian Air Force Detachment from 405 Long Range Patrol Squadron, based in 14 Wing Greenwood, will also support the mission.

The detachment, comprising of nearly 50 personnel and a CP-140 Aurora Long Range Patrol Aircraft, will join the ship next month.

(more at link)

 

[Nilgiri]

Thales Celebrates Delivery of CCGS John Cabot

new_item_en

www.canadiandefencereview.com

Thales celebrates the delivery of CCGS John Cabot, the third Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel (OFSV) delivered to the Canadian Coast Guard under the Government of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).

The three new OFSVs, the first class of large vessels built under the NSS, are serving as the primary platform for Canada’s Fisheries and Oceans scientists to conduct important research activities. In addition, the OFSVs have the capability to support search and rescue and environmental response operations.

Thales played a key role in constructing the new OFSVs in support of the Canadian Coast Guard’s mandate. As Seaspan Shipyard’s Electronic Systems Integrator (ESI) for these vessels, Thales is responsible for the design, development and installation of the integrated bridge and navigation, internal and external communication, and science mission systems.

Thales is a Tier 1 partner to Seaspan Shipyards as the Electronic Systems Integrator for the construction of the OFSVs for the Canadian Coast Guard.

“Thales is proud to have played an important role in the successful delivery of the CCGS John Cabot and all three of the Canadian Coast Guard’s new Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels. With unparalleled expertise in innovative systems integration, we are committed to continuing our work with Seaspan Shipyards under the NSS and supporting innovation within Canada’s domestic shipbuilding industry at-large.” - Mark Halinaty, President and CEO, Thales Canada

In 2016, Seaspan Shipyards contracted Thales as the ESI for the three Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels, two new Joint Support Ships and one Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel. Under the NSS, Thales has generated significant economic impact to Canada, working with more than 70 suppliers across eight provinces from coast-to-coast, with investments totaling more than $70M CAD.

 

[Nilgiri]

November 11th (remembrance day for Canada) approaches.... RIP to all warrior sons and daughters this nation has lost in line of duty.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/silver-cross-mother-1.5786428

The weight of a Silver Cross​

Saint John woman to represent all Canadian mothers who have lost children in uniform

Harry Forestell · CBC News · Posted: Nov 02, 2020 6:15 PM

=============

Debbie Sullivan wasn't surprised when her only son Chris announced that he would be entering the military. After all, he'd always been a daredevil and he craved adventure.

She had encouraged him to a life of public service. The Army seemed a perfect fit, as Chris explained to her, because he wanted "both feet planted firmly on the ground."

So when Chris Saunders called his mother to proudly announce he'd become a submariner with the Royal Canadian Navy, she was perplexed.

"This is the kid that wanted both feet planted firmly on the ground?"

"I said, 'You send me a photograph of you sky-diving and now you want to go under the water?' And that's when my fear set in because I'm claustrophobic … my fear set in at the thought of him under tons of water ... in a tin can."

Sullivan smiles and shakes her head at the memory of a son who has become an inspiration to her and the hundreds of students who attend Chris Saunders Memorial Elementary School in Quispamsis.

A 'tragic, tragic accident'​

We're meeting in the school gym, 12 feet apart as dictated by current COVID-19 rules, to talk about her son, who died in 2004 following a devastating fire onboard a newly acquired submarine, HMCS Chicoutimi.

Lt. Chris Saunders was one of nine crew injured when water flooded a compartment in the boat, causing an electrical fire. Saunders was the only fatality.

He was 32 years old, and left behind his wife, Gwen, and two young boys, Ben and Luke.

"I've been told he immediately took charge and gave whatever orders needed to be given and was rushing back to his station when he collapsed," Sullivan says. "Because it was dark, he couldn't find the port to put his breathing apparatus into and the smoke and the gases overtook him and he passed out. And that's where they found him."

Asked if she was angry with the circumstances of her son's death, Sullivan said she understood it was, at its root, a tragic workplace accident.

"I wasn't angry," she said. "I went to the inquiry. I was there. I got the details and I'm satisfied with their findings. It was just a very tragic, tragic accident."

(More at link)

 

[Nilgiri]

Video of this icebreaker in 2015:

Canada’s largest icebreaker to undergo life extension upgrade

The Canadian government has issued an advance contract award notice (ACAN) signalling its intention to enter into a contract with local shipbuilder Chantier Davie of Lévis for vessel life extension work on the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Louis S. St-Laurent, the country’s largest icebreaker.

www.navaltoday.com

November 4, 2020, by Naida Hakirevic

The Canadian government has issued an advance contract award notice (ACAN) signalling its intention to enter into a contract with local shipbuilder Chantier Davie of Lévis for vessel life extension work on the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Louis S. St-Laurent, the country’s largest icebreaker.

As explained, the procurement ensures an open, fair and competitive process that will allow any other supplier with a comparable option to submit a proposal to the government before the contract is awarded.

Other interested suppliers will have 15 calendar days to submit a statement of capabilities to show they meet the requirements laid out in the ACAN.

Specifically, the ACAN was issued after Chantier Davie was identified as the only facility in Eastern Canada with a dry dock large enough to perform this work on the Louis S. St-Laurent. The vessel already underwent repair, refit and maintenance work in 2014, 2017 and 2019 at Chantier Davie.

The scheduled vessel life extension work on the 1969-commissioned CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent will take place over three 5-month dry-docking periods in 2022, 2024 and 2027 respectively, with an alongside work period in 2023.

Work includes, but is not limited to, inspections, regulatory maintenance and auxiliary equipment replacement.

“The vessel life extension of the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent will enable the Coast Guard to continue to provide critical icebreaking and emergency response services effectively and safely in Canadian waters, while providing economic opportunities for the Canadian marine sector in the Quebec region,” Public Services and Procurement Canada said in a statement.

The contract was awarded within the government’s National Shipbuilding Strategy.

“Icebreakers are vital to the safety of mariners, the resupply of northern communities and the continued flow of commerce through Canadian waters. As we welcome home the CCGS Louis S. St Laurent after months at sea, we are thrilled to announce this vessel will be repaired and upgraded so it can continue to provide these critical services for Canadians,” Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, commented.

“Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, our government is ensuring the Coast Guard has the equipment and tools it needs to carry out its crucial work from coast to coast to coast.”

 

[Nilgiri]

The more you look into things, the more (potentially liberal party-linked corruption) mess-up you find.

They still owe the vice-admiral (Mark Norman) a larger apology for what they put him through (thats a long story I wont get into)...because he raised this matter inconveniently earlier.

He now stands substantially or even fully vindicated (in my opinion).

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/navy-armed-forces-supply-ships-giroux-1.5805407

Converting two civilian cargo ships to serve as resupply vessels for the navy would have been cheaper than building new ones, Canada's parliamentary budget officer has determined.

PBO Yves Giroux conceded that the advice is coming late — that it would have been more helpful to Parliamentarians and the general public had it come years ago, before the federal government signed a contract over the summer with Seaspan for the $4.1 billion construction of two joint support ships (JSS) at the Vancouver Shipyard.

But what are you going to do?

The Parliamentary Budget Office investigates at the behest of MPs — and it was only asked last June by the House of Commons standing committee on government operations and estimates to review the costs of the naval shipbuilding program. (The previous, long-standing forecast was that the navy could get two purpose-built supply ships for $3.4 billion, but that sum quietly increased late last spring.)

The motion to investigate was put forward by Conservative MP Kelly McCauley, who said at the time that MPs "owe it to taxpayers to finally get some numbers on these ships so we can determine how best to proceed."

(More at link)

 

[Nilgiri]

Note: CAE also provided the MAD used on Indian Navy P-8

=============

CAE Awarded Contract to Provide MAD-XR for U.S. Navy MH-60R Helicopters

new_item_en

www.canadiandefencereview.com

CAE has been awarded a subcontract by Lockheed Martin to supply the CAE Magnetic Anomaly Detection-Extended Role (MAD-XR) system for United States Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.

CAE MAD-XR is a highly sensitive magnetometer designed to sense changes in the earth’s magnetic field and is used as a sensor to detect submarines. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems is the lead systems integrator for the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R “Romeo” helicopter, which is the Navy’s primary anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare helicopter.

Under terms of a Phase 1 contract from the U.S. Navy, Lockheed Martin has responsibility to integrate the CAE MAD-XR into the MH-60R helicopter. CAE will provide the MAD-XR system and support Lockheed Martin with non-recurring engineering and integration services. Initially, a total of six MH-60R helicopters will be integrated with the CAE MAD-XR during Phase 1.

“Over the past several years we have conducted several trials with the U.S. Navy to confirm the capabilities of the MAD-XR system on the MH-60R helicopter,” said Thomas M. Kane, Director, Naval Helicopter Programs, Lockheed Martin. “Adding this to the MH-60R’s sensor suite will further advance the capabilities of the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare helicopter.”

The CAE MAD-XR is significantly more compact than previous MAD systems with reduced size, weight, and power requirements. This allows the CAE MAD-XR to be extended to smaller platforms such as unmanned aerial systems (UASs), helicopters and small fixed-wing aircraft.

“The integration of our MAD-XR system on the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R helicopter is testament to its powerful magnetic detection abilities,” said Daniel Gelston, Group President, Defence & Security, CAE. “The MAD-XR system can provide defence forces with enhanced capabilities for operational missions such as submarine detection and search and rescue."

 

[Nilgiri]

Canadian Coast Guard welcomes second interim icebreaker

The Canadian Coast Guard has taken the delivery of the CCGS Jean Goodwill, the second of three medium interim icebreakers to join the fleet after completing refit and conversion work at Davie Shipbuilding in Lévis, Quebec.

www.navaltoday.com

The Canadian Coast Guard has taken the delivery of the CCGS Jean Goodwill, the second of three medium interim icebreakers to join the fleet after completing refit and conversion work at Davie Shipbuilding in Lévis, Quebec.

Photo: Canadian Coast Guard

(More at link)

 

[Nilgiri]

A search is underway in waters west of San Francisco for a master sailor from Winnipeg who's gone missing, the Canadian military says.

Duane Earle is believed to have accidentally fallen overboard HMCS Winnipeg early Monday, about 500 nautical miles off the coast, National Defence said in a statement released Tuesday.

"MS Earle was not identified as missing until later in the day, at which point HMCS Winnipeg turned back along its route and commenced a search, along with its embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter," the statement said.

(More at link)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/master-sailor-missing-from-hmcs-winnipeg-military-says-1.5841681

Hope he is found

 

[Test7]

Elbit Systems announced today that following a competitive procurement process, Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of Transport Canada, selected the HermesTM StarLiner Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to support maritime environmental protection missions in the Arctic and along the Canadian Eastern and Western coasts, as part of the Canadian National Aerial Surveillance Program.

Fully certified to operate in civilian airspace, the Hermes StarLiner UAS will take-off and land in civilian airfields to perform a wide range of operations to reduce harmful environmental impacts, including detection of oil pollution, Ice Patrol and Reconnaissance, wildlife survey, Fisheries Patrol and others.

The Honourable Marc Garneau Minister of Transport, said in a Government of Canada news release: “Canada is committed to protecting our endangered species and our marine environment. Integrating remotely piloted aircraft into our fleet will make our surveillance operations more robust than ever. The National Aerial Surveillance Program also helps with search and rescue, humanitarian efforts, illegal fishing enforcement, and the development and regulation of Canada’s drone industry.”

Hermes Starliner UAS


Adverse weather conditions and short endurance degrade the search and surveillance capabilities of manned aircraft, often preventing them from executing their missions. Deploying the Hermes StarLiner UAS will enable Transport Canada to maintain persistent surveillance over vast bodies of water and long coastlines. Capable of continuous flight, the Hermes StarLiner UAS can operate in adverse weather conditions in both day and night, improving mission effectiveness and increasing the number of missions that can be safely executed.

The Hermes StarLiner is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance 1.6 tones UAS that includes a range of commercial aviation capabilities qualifying it to be safely integrated into civilian airspace. Hermes StarLiner features Detect & Avoid Systems, redundant data-links, Terrain Avoidance Warning System, Automatic Take-off and Landing capability in near zero visibility, de-icing and direct lightning strike sustainment capabilities, as well as a powerful heavy fuel engine.

Hermes Starliner UAS

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1341024205228429315

Canada Selects Elbit Systems’ Hermes StarLiner Unmanned Aircraft System for Environmental Protection | Elbit Systems

Haifa, Israel, December 21, 2020 – Elbit Systems announced today that following a competitive procurement process, Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of Transport Canada, selected the HermesTM StarLiner Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to support maritime environmental protection...

elbitsystems.com

 

[Nilgiri]

Seaspan Shipyards: Construction starts on Canada’s new OOSV

On 29 March 2021, Seaspan Shipyards cut steel and started full-rate construction of the offshore oceanographic science vessel (OOSV).

www.navaltoday.com

On 29 March 2021, Seaspan Shipyards cut steel and started full-rate construction of the offshore oceanographic science vessel (OOSV).

This important milestone kicks off construction of the third class of ships Seaspan is building under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).

The Canadian Coast Guard’s Heather McDonald cuts the first steel at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyard, marking the start of construction of Canada’s most modern science research ship. Photo: CNW Group/Seaspan Shipyards


“The start of construction of a new vessel under the National Shipbuilding Strategy is always a significant milestone toward the Government of Canada’s commitment to the renewal of the Coast Guard’s future fleet, the growing of our marine industry and the creation of jobs in communities throughout Canada,” Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, commented.

The 88-metre-long vessel will deliver much-needed fleet capability for the Canadian Coast Guard and an oceanographic science platform for Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

The OOSV is being built at Seaspan’s multi-program Vancouver Shipyard concurrently with the first joint support ship for the Royal Canadian Navy.

As explained, the OOSV will support a wide range of oceanographic, fishery, geological and hydrographic survey missions. These missions will advance scientific knowledge about the oceans, the seabed and the impacts of climate change and help lead to healthier, more sustainable ocean ecosystems, a key priority of the Government of Canada’s Blue Economy Strategy.

The ship, which will accommodate up to 34 crew and 26 scientists, will also perform search and rescue operations and environmental response as needed.

The new OOSV will replace the venerable CCGS Hudson, which was Canada’s first ocean science vessel when it entered service in 1964 and is the longest serving ship in the Canadian Coast Guard fleet.

CCGS Hudson is set to retire in 2024 after 60 years of scientific missions, contributions to ocean science, and several historic expeditions including in the Arctic and as the first science vessel to circumnavigate both North and South America.