L-3 MAPPS selected for Canadian Navy programme

L-3 MAPPS will design a new integrated platform management system (IPMS) for the Royal Canadian Navy's (RCN) new class of arctic/offshore patrol ships (AOPS). The company was selected for the work by Lockheed Martin Canada.

The AOPS vessels are being built for the RCN as part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) by prime contractor Irving Shipbuilding. The project will equip the Canadian forces with six to eight naval ice-capable offshore patrol ships able to assert and enforce sovereignty in Canada's waters where and when necessary, including the Arctic.

Lockheed Martin Canada is leading the effort to integrate the IPMS, the subsystems of which will be designed by L-3 MAPPS.

The L-3 MAPPS IPMS provides comprehensive monitoring and control of the ship's propulsion, electrical, ancillary, and auxiliary and damage control machinery systems. The system is integrated with the ship's combat management and navigation systems, and draws information from the Battle Damage Control System, Onboard Team Training System, Equipment Health Monitoring System and CCTV, enabling the crew to safely and effectively operate the ship for all mission requirements.

Rangesh Kasturi, marketing and sales vice-president, L-3 MAPPS, said: ‘Further to our ongoing successful implementation of the Halifax-class frigates IPMS upgrade, we are very pleased to be selected for this new and very important RCN project.

‘Together with the RCN, we pioneered the concept of the IPMS 30 years ago and became a global leader with this Canadian technology. Today, we look forward to designing the next generation of innovative IPMS subsystems for the RCN’s newest class of ships.’

The first Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2018.