December 3, 2024

L3 Harris in talks on Canada’s F-35 - Elon Musk calls for F-35 to be cancelled

December 3, 2024

Elon Musk, who has been picked by incoming US President Donald Trump to cut federal spending, has called for the F-35 program to be cancelled. How will that affect Canada’s F-35 purchase? (USAF photo)

By Tim Ryan

The F-35 program continues to be in the news. Elon Musk, who has been picked by incoming US President Donald Trump to cut federal spending, has called for the F-35 program to be cancelled.

“Some US weapons systems are good, albeit overpriced but please, in the name of all that is holy, let us stop the worst military value for money in history that is the F-35 program!”, he wrote on Nov. 26 on X, the social media platform.

If Musk gets his way it is unclear how a program cancellation will affect Canada’s F-35 order but obviously it will have significant impact.

Meanwhile, the Canadian government announced that L3Harris MAS from Mirabel, Quebec is its strategic partner in a potential F-35 airframe depot. The company will work with the federal government and the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) in the U.S. to investigate requirements for the establishment of a depot. The agreement will provide a means to progress timely discussions, including on the scope and costs associated with setting up and operating such a facility, and on how to best position Canada to demonstrate best value, to secure future opportunities in the F-35 enterprise, according to the federal government.

L3Harris MAS is the only supplier in Canada that has been conducting the full range of maintenance, repair and overhaul services for Canada’s CF-188 Hornet fighter jet airframes.

Federal officials say the company has proven experience with Canada’s current CF-188 fleet and is an industrial leader in one of the world’s largest aerospace clusters with a significant Canadian footprint. “Based on these facts, Canada is confident that L3Harris MAS has the capability, capacity and extensive industrial network of suppliers, partners and recruiting sources required to enable the company to successfully manage airframe heavy maintenance depot work for the CF-35A enterprise,” the government noted in a news release.

The Canadian Commercial Corporation or CCC announced that it had arranged a deal with the Pentagon for StandardAero. The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract is worth over $80 million from the United States Department of Defense for engine repair services by StandardAero. Under CCC’s contract, StandardAero will repair 501-K34 Turbine Engines used by the U.S. Navy surface fleet. The 501-K34 is used in a variety of ships for power generation and mechanical drive applications.

StandardAero has performed over $160 million in MRO services for the United States Air Force, Navy, and Army. Additionally, they have engaged in contracts to maintain, repair, and overhaul Rolls-Royce T56 Series III engines that power the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps' fleets of C-130s, C-2, P-3, and EP-3 aircraft. StandardAero also supports the CFM56-7B engines used in the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft fleet.

Pilatus PC-21 to be purchased for RCAF training

November 28, 2024

Social Media Manager

By Tim Ryan

SkyAlyne and KF Aerospace announced Nov. 28 the successful signing of the purchase agreement with Pilatus to acquire 19 state-of-the-art Pilatus PC-21 training aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program.

The contract, executed by KF Aerospace as a major subcontractor to SkyAlyne for the FAcT program, secures production slots with aircraft deliveries expected to begin in the second half of 2026.

The contract also includes Pilatus supplying various supporting equipment, including mission planning and debriefing systems, and training materials.

Pilatus has supplied approximately 250 PC-21s to several air force customers, including the Swiss Air Force, the Spanish Air Force, and the Royal Australian Air Force, among others. The two-seat aircraft has advanced avionics, fuel efficiency, performance, and training capabilities – making it what the companies believe is the ideal platform to underpin advanced fixed-wing flying training for RCAF Pilots in the FAcT program.

The 25-year FAcT program, awarded to SkyAlyne in spring 2024, is currently in a five-year transition period to become the sole Pilot and Aircrew training program for the RCAF, as the three current separate RCAF training programs conclude, and their responsibilities are combined into FAcT.

The FAcT program is overseen from a Joint Management Office at SkyAlyne’s Ottawa headquarters, with three operational bases: Moose Jaw, SK, Southport, MB, and Winnipeg, MB.

When operational, Canada’s PC-21 fleet will be based at 15 Wing Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan and operated in partnership with the RCAF.

Instruction activities for aircraft fleets based in Moose Jaw will be led by Team SkyAlyne in partnership with the RCAF and delivered by CAE as a major subcontractor. Instruction activities for aircraft fleets stationed at Southport will be led by Team SkyAlyne in partnership with the RCAF and delivered by KF Aerospace as a major subcontractor.

Industry Watch – RCAF To Get New Helicopters For Training

November 12, 2024

Social Media Manager

SkyAlyne and KF Aerospace are buying 19 advanced Airbus H135 helicopters for the Royal Canadian Air Force Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program. (Photo courtesy SkyAlyne)

By David Pugliese

SkyAlyne and KF Aerospace announced Nov. 4 the signing of the purchase agreement with Airbus Helicopters in Canada to acquire 19 advanced Airbus H135 helicopters for the Royal Canadian Air Force Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program.

The contract, executed by KF Aerospace on behalf of SkyAlyne for the FAcT program, secures production slots with aircraft deliveries beginning in mid-2026, according to the companies.

SkyAlyne says it will partner with Airbus Helicopters on the project. Based in Fort Erie, Ontario, Airbus Helicopters in Canada manufactures components for Airbus’ global supply chains locally. Additionally, the H135s being acquired by SkyAlyne for the RCAF will be completed in Canada at the Fort Erie facility.

The H135 is viewed by the companies as the ideal rotary wing training aircraft for the RCAF, with a well-earned reputation with global customers for performance, endurance, and cost-effective operations. The twin-engine helicopter with advanced avionics will be a cornerstone of the RCAF rotary-wing fleet for decades to come, according to SkyAlyne and KF Aerospace.

The H135 is currently in use by twelve other militaries, including in Australia and the United Kingdom.

The FAcT program is overseen from a Joint Management Office at SkyAlyne’s Ottawa headquarters, with three operational bases: Moose Jaw, SK, Southport, MB, and Winnipeg, MB.

When operational, Canada’s H135 fleet will be operated jointly with the RCAF and based at 15 Wing’s 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School, located at Southport Aerospace Centre, in Southport, MB.

Kevin Lemke, General Manager, SkyAlyne, said securing the Airbus H135 fleet for the RCAF is an important milestone for the FAcT program as it solidifies a core element of the program schedule. “The selection of the state-of-the-art H135 from Airbus Helicopters contributes meaningfully to the Canadian economy and SkyAlyne is proud to be building a world-leading Pilot and Aircrew training program for the RCAF while supporting Canadian jobs,” he added.

Tracy Medve, Board Chair, SkyAlyne; President, KF Aerospace, noted that from the outset, the firm recognized the pivotal role that selecting the right aircraft would play in ensuring the long-term success of the FAcT program. “With the Airbus H135, we’re confident in a choice that meets both the RCAF’s stringent training requirements for rotary-wing pilot training and our commitment to operational excellence,’’ she added.

SkyAlyne is a team of defence, training, simulation, and aviation industry experts assembled from across Canada, working to prepare the next generation of RCAF pilots and aircrew. It was formed in 2018 as a partnership between CAE and KF Aerospace. The partnership was built to jointly answer the call for the Canadian government’s FAcT program. In 2023 SkyAlyne was named the preferred bidder, and in 2024, was officially contracted to partner with the RCAF and deliver the FAcT program.

*Canada has awarded a $1.85 billion contract to Lockheed Martin Canada for the renewal of combat system integration in-service support for the Halifax-class frigates. (DND photo)*

The Canadian government has awarded a contract valued at up to $1.85 billion to Lockheed Martin Canada for the renewal of combat system integration in-service support (CSI ISS) for the Halifax-class frigates.

The renewal of this contract will ensure continued CSI service support until the end-of-life expectancy is reached for the Halifax-class frigates, coinciding with the gradual arrival of the new fleet of River-class destroyer ships.

The Halifax-class patrol frigates are the backbone of the Royal Canadian Navy’s operational capability.

The initial CSI ISS contract was awarded through a competitive procurement process to Lockheed Martin Canada in November 2008. The initial CSI ISS contract ensured ongoing maintenance and updates to the combat management system (CMS) 330 until November 6, 2024.

The new CSI ISS contract provides ongoing maintenance, updates and other specialized supports for the CMS 330 onboard the RCN’s 12 Halifax-class frigates. The services also include support for associated shore-based engineering, training and testing. This service support will be from November 2024 to March 2034. The contract includes 13 additional one-year option periods, which could extend the contract up to March 2047.

The CMS 330 is the central component of the integrated combat system fitted on the Halifax-class ships. It’s a system designed to integrate and control the various sensors, weapons and information sources of the ships to optimize situational awareness and decision-making.

The in-service support activities are performed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Esquimalt, British Columbia, and at various locations in the National Capital Region.

Lockheed Martin recently announced it is partnering with RaceRocks, an Indigenous, women-owned training and software company based in Victoria, British Columbia. RaceRocks will create modernized training solutions.

This $1.6 million contract will support the development of adaptive learning capabilities over the next three years. The idea is to revolutionize military training by ensuring that only the required training is delivered at the point and time of need. This will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of force generation across Canada, according to Lockheed Martin.

RaceRocks has a decade-long history of delivering quality immersive training products and decision-making tools for aerospace and defence clients, Lockheed Martin noted.

Through its Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) obligations, Lockheed Martin Canada is partnering with RaceRocks to develop the adaptive learning engine.

The project will build out Lockheed’s total learning architecture (MENTOR) and contribute to the growth of RaceRocks’ Adenine platform—a multi- tenant, total learning enclave focused on delivering individualized, immersive learning experiences.

More broadly, this initiative will enhance research and development efforts in the Canadian aerospace and defence industry, advancing technology solutions for training, including immersive simulations, AI- driven adaptive learning tools, and innovative training and learning systems, Lockheed Martin added in its news release.

“RaceRocks and Lockheed Martin Canada will provide the best solutions for the training assessor and the student,” said Glenn Copeland, general manager, Lockheed Martin Canada Rotary and Mission Systems. “As a former Canadian Armed Forces warfare officer and head of Tactics and Training, I recognize the requirement for persistent, objective student assessment is overdue.’’

“This partnership directly aligns with RaceRocks’ goals by driving growth and innovation, which are important to Canada’s economy,” added Anita Pawluk, CEO and president of RaceRocks. “Additionally, it strengthens our role as an Indigenous-owned business, furthering our commitment to increasing Indigenous participation the aerospace and defence industry.

Follow David Pugliese on X as well as at:

https://defenceobserver.ca