Canada's HCM project powers ahead

The Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax Class Modernization (HCM) project has reached an important new milestone, with First Article Acceptance now achieved, Lockheed Martin Canada announced on 22 December.

First Article Acceptance confirms that Lockheed Martin Canada’s combat system design meets the navy’s performance requirements. Extensive integration testing and sea trials have already been conducted, and individual system acceptance has been achieved for seven of the 12 Halifax class frigates undergoing the programme.

Lockheed Martin Canada has worked closely with the Royal Canadian Navy on the HCM project throughout the requirement, sub-system selection, design and implementation phases. As vessels continue to come out of the modernisation process, they go through various stages of readiness as the new systems are tested and the crews are trained. Modernised ships have already returned to the fleet.

Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, said: ‘The overall management and success of the programme has proven to be an excellent partnership model for future shipbuilding projects, and has been recognised internationally. The valuable information provided to the New Zealand Ministry of Defence on our modernisation experience assisted them in their decision to upgrade the combat systems on their ANZAC class ships. 

‘This global export opportunity of the Canadian combat system is the result of close collaboration between the Royal Canadian Navy, Department of National Defence, and industry.’

Rosemary Chapdelaine, vice president, Lockheed Martin Canada Mission Systems and Training, added: ‘Our innovative combat management system, integration methodology, and Canadian supply chain form the largest component of the modernisation project. Our team is thrilled to deliver Canadian-built, world-class technology to the Royal Canadian Navy.’