NR - 12.094 - May 22, 2012
BURLINGTON, ONT– The Honourable Julian Fantino, Associate Minister of National Defence, announced today that L-3 WESCAM of Burlington, Ontario, has been awarded a contract worth up to $10 million for the repair and overhaul of surveillance sensors on the Canadian Forces’ fleet of CH-146 Griffon helicopters.
“Our government is committed to giving the Canadian Forces the equipment needed to be successful in their missions, while supporting industry right here in Burlington,” said Minister Fantino. “Today’s announcement once again demonstrates our efforts to provide the Royal Canadian Air Force with the critical equipment it needs to do the jobs we ask of them, with the best benefits for Canadian industry.”
The three-year contract is for the routine maintenance, repair, and overhaul of the electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) imaging sensors that were installed on Canada’s fleet of CH-146 Griffon helicopters under the Interoperable Griffon Reconnaissance Escort Surveillance System (INGRESS) project. These imaging sensors consist of a night-vision camera and a high-definition video camera with infrared surveillance capability. They allow the Griffon to operate as an escort aircraft, and support land operations including the detecting of targets in the sky and on the ground, day or night.
“Today’s announcement is welcome news for the Canadian Forces and industry in Burlington,” said Mike Wallace, Member of Parliament for Burlington. “Our government’s investments are renewing the equipment we provide our brave men and women in uniform, and supporting skilled jobs across Canada.”
This system was instrumental to the helicopter’s key role during Operation Athena in Afghanistan. The equipment allowed the CH-146 Griffon to help reduce the risk of exposing personnel to ambushes, land mines and improvised explosive devices by providing increased protection to movement of troops.
Canada’s fleet of 85 CH-146 Griffon helicopters has been in service since 1995. At home and abroad, it has been used for search and rescue (SAR) missions, surveillance and reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, and counter-drug operations, as well as in many national and international humanitarian relief operations.
The contract also includes two optional one-year extensions.
-30-
