Lockheed wins subcontract for Canadian patrol ships

Lockheed Martin Canada has been awarded an implementation subcontract for the Royal Canadian Navy's (RCN) new class of Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS).

The C$170 million subcontract, which was announced by Lockheed on 8 April, was awarded by Irving Shipbuilding, the prime contractor for the AOPS programme. Under this contract, Lockheed Martin Canada will be responsible for key integration of data and information sources to increase the situational awareness of the ships and provide command, control and decision support at all levels of command.

Lockheed Martin Canada leveraged its combat management system from the Halifax-class frigate modernisation programme for surveillance purposes on the AOPS programme.

Rosemary Chapdelaine, vice president and general manager, mission systems and training, Lockheed Martin Canada, said: 'Our team facilitates tight collaboration with the shipyard, subcontractors and the navy, and we are pleased to be moving to the next stage of the AOPS programme on schedule. Our ability to coordinate among these stakeholders on complex programmes is our blueprint for success.'

The AOPS procurement project will see six ice-capable naval offshore patrol ships added to the RCN. The vessels will conduct northern surveillance, search and rescue, and interoperation missions with the Canadian forces and other government organisations. The first AOPS is due to be delivered in 2018.