Light Armoured Vehicle Reconnaissance Surveillance System (LRSS)
Project summary
The Light Armoured Vehicle Reconnaissance Surveillance System (LRSS) project will replace 141 aging Coyote surveillance vehicles with 66 state-of-the-art surveillance systems, which will be fully integrated onto the new Light Armoured Vehicle 6.0 platform.
This modern Light Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle will be equipped with the latest digital surveillance system that pushes the technology envelope in terms of detection, recognition, and identification. This will provide the Army with its first vehicle-based on-the-move long-range reconnaissance capability. This new fleet will provide an increased capability, protection, and flexibility when compared to the current fleet.
Project phases
Currently in Phase 4: Implementation
1. Identification
1. Identification
- N/A
2. Options analysis
2. Options analysis
- N/A
3. Definition
3. Definition
- Preliminary project approval: December 6, 2012
4. Implementation
4. Implementation
- Project approval: November 7, 2014
- Contract award: February 1, 2015
- First delivery: August 1, 2022
- Initial operational capability: March 2023
- Full operational capability: March 2024
5. Close-out
5. Close-out
- June 2024
Learn more about the Defence procurement process.
Additional information
Project updates
Project updates
November 2021
Vehicle level confidence activities were completed at CFB Petawawa to show progress of the surveillance system integration.
November 2020
Start of vehicle production
October 2020
Stability, mobility, and blast testing were completed.
As of March 12, 2019
Engineering test units continue to be built and are currently being tested against the contracted performance specifications. Project staff are continuing to find and fix problems.
Spring and fall 2017
Schedule slippages were reported at the Senior Review Board.
Summer 2017
A higher level governance was imposed.
2017
An over-weight endurance trial is completed to determine the safety and operational impact of delivering the LAV 6.0 RECCE vehicle with a higher gross vehicle weight. The critical design review of silent watch battery packs and the critical design review of laser range finders are completed.
2016
The critical design review of surveillance system is completed.
2015
The preliminary design reviews of the chassis are complete.
February 2015
Two sole-source contracts are awarded to General Dynamics Land Systems Canada (GDLS-C): the LAVUP contract option for 66 chassis and turrets and the LRSS Implementation Contract to integrate and deliver specific components and systems to produce 66 LAV 6.0 RECCE.
Industry
Industry
Industry engagement so far includes:
- Direct engagement in the design and delivery of the new RECCE capabilities on the LAV 6.0 vehicle with General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS-C) – Canada, the Original Equipment Manufacturer of the LAV 6.0 and owner of the platform intellectual property.
- Engagement to design and deliver the new surveillance system through a GDLS-C sub-contract with Leonardo DRS – USA, the Original Equipment Manufacturer and/or integrator for the new surveillance system.
- Engagement to design and deliver the new silent watch lithium based battery through a GDLS-C sub-contract with Galvion – Canada, the Original Equipment Manufacturer for the new silent watch battery pack.
- Engagement to design and delivery new turret day sights – laser range finders through a GDLS-C sub-contract with Elbit – Israel, the Original Equipment Manufacturer for the laser range finder.
- Engagement to test and deliver the two new energy attenuating seats through a GDLS-C sub-contract with Armatec – Canada, the Original Equipment Manufacturer for the new energy attenuating seats.
The Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy was applied to the LRSS Implementation Contract. Total IRB obligation is $306,721,241 and $306,721,241 has been completed to date.
Technical Requirements
Technical Requirements
The surveillance system will include a surveillance suite and radar, mounted on a 10 m telescoping carbon fibre mast, tripods with 200 m cable for remote operations, and a high definition operator control station. The vehicles will have a 20 year life expectancy.
Project costs
Project costs
The acquisition cost for this project—including project management costs, infrastructure, contracts and contingency—is $623.4 million.
Issues/Risks
Issues/Risks
COVID-19: has had an impact on all procurement projects in some form. Challenges may impact the project schedule or cost to varying degrees, as the full impacts continue to be assessed. We continue to monitor the situation closely and update the project page should any information change. In collaboration with our industry partners, we are continuing to work on mitigation measures where possible, while keeping our respective workforces safe.
Technical: This project requires a complex state-of-the-art solution with many challenging interdependencies (Light Armoured Vehicle III Upgrade, Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition Reconnaissance System, and Land Command Support System Life Extension). Issues remain with software design, and qualification testing of components. The potential technical risks were anticipated and are being closely monitored via governance meetings.
Page details
- Date modified: