Lockheed Martin, the U.S.-based defense technology company, announced December 22 that its Halifax Class Modernization project for the Royal Canadian Navy has achieved several program milestones.
The HCM project achieved First Article Acceptance – formal recognition that Lockheed Martin Canada’s combat system design meets the Navy’s performance requirements.
First article acceptance was preceded by a series of integration tests at the company’s Maritime Advanced Training and Test Site in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
Individual system acceptance of the Lockheed Martin Canada combat system has also been achieved on seven of Canada’s 12 Halifax Class frigates. They are: HMCS Halifax, HMCS Calgary, HMCS Fredericton, HMCS Winnipeg, HMCS Montréal, HMCS Vancouver and, most recently, HMCS Charlottetown.
The ships completed a sea trial program to validate the combat system is ready to support the Navy’s critical missions.
Vice-Admiral Mark Norman , Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, commented on the achievements of the HCM project. “The overall management and success of the program has proven to be an excellent partnership model for future shipbuilding projects, and has been recognized internationally. The valuable information provided to the New Zealand Ministry of Defence on our modernization experience assisted them in their decision to upgrade the combat systems on their ANZAC class ships.”
Modernized ships have already returned to the fleet and are now conducting Canada’s missions.
Rosemary Chapdelaine , vice president Lockheed Martin Canada Mission Systems and Training, said: “Our innovative combat management system, integration methodology, and Canadian supply chain form the largest component of the modernization project.”
“Building on this foundation, the company’s combat system was also selected and repurposed for command and surveillance capability on Canada’s new Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships.”
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