OTTAWA, June 28, 2005 -- The Honourable Mauril Bélanger, Minister for Internal Trade, Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Minister responsible for Official Languages, Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier, on behalf of the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, today announced a $1.4 million investment that will allow a small Canadian company to take part in the largest multinational defence contract ever awarded -- the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program.
This Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC) investment is part of a $3.5 million project being undertaken by GasTOPS Ltd., of Ottawa, to further develop its MetalSCAN sensor technology that detects metallic debris in lubricating oil systems thereby protecting mission-critical equipment. The company will improve the technology base of its system and then develop specific applications for use in the F-35 aircraft being produced by Lockheed Martin.
"Our investment in the GasTOPS project underlines the Government of Canada's support of -- and confidence in -- our smaller technology firms," said Minister Emerson. "This investment also clearly demonstrates Canada's commitment to fulfilling international obligations."
"The Government of Canada is committed to the development of leading-edge technologies that benefit our economy and Canadians," added Mauril Bélanger. "With our participation, this Ottawa-based company can further develop itself, and Canada as a technology leader in this area."
This initiative will enable GasTOPS engineers to increase their knowledge and understanding of lightweight materials, electronics, cabling and other performance characteristics. It will also ensure the company's ability to advance its R&D and enable a Canadian-sourced technology to contribute significantly to the high profile technology-driven JSF program.
Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC) is a key instrument for advancing research and development toward commercialization. Working in partnership with innovative companies across Canada, TPC shares in the cost of private sector technology projects in aerospace and defence, in environmental technologies, and in enabling technologies such as information and communications technologies, and biotechnology.
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For more information, please contact:
Christiane Fox
Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson
Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
(613) 943-2502
The news release, backgrounder and other documents are available on the Technology Partnerships Canada Web site at http://www.tpc-ptc.ic.gc.ca.
Backgrounder
Government of Canada Support of GasTOPS Ltd.'s
Joint Strike Fighter Advanced Debris Detection System Project
GasTOPS Ltd. will receive an investment of $1.4 million from Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC). This investment is part of a $3.5 million project to further develop the company's MetalSCAN sensor technology to meet the cost, weight, size, and complexity requirements of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program.
The F-35 multi-role fighter, which is being developed by Lockheed Martin Corporation, is intended to provide a common airframe for the United States (U.S.) Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. The aircraft will have conventional takeoff and landing capabilities, as well as short vertical takeoff and landing capabilities.
Canada joined the JSF program in 2002 as a partner, along with Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Australia, Italy and Turkey. Canada's financial commitment under the Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Department of Defence is made up of payments from the Canadian Department of National Defence and investments from Technology Partnerships Canada. Canadian companies are participating in development activities of the System Development and Demonstration phase of the JSF program.
GasTOPS's MetalSCAN debris sensor has already been selected for the Pratt and Whitney F135 JSF engine. With this initiative, the company will be better positioned to take advantage of additional opportunities and to pursue further research and development (R&D) initiatives to advance its work in leading-edge technologies.
The technological development required to meet the JSF objectives will be achieved through a number of mini-projects that address particular objectives to produce demonstration prototypes.
Some of the challenges facing GasTOPS include:Investigating the use of materials that can reduce weight and cost;Reducing the outside dimensions of the sensor, without affecting performance;Eliminating the current sensitivity of the sensor;Minimizing signal noise caused by air bubbles; andReducing the size of electronic components.
GasTOPS is a leading provider of innovative Control and Condition Assessment Systems that ensure reliable and cost-effective operations of mission-critical equipment.
