Bluedrop Training & Simulation Inc. of Halifax received a $15 million contract to design the training and simulation software for the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) project.
The contract was awarded by Irving Shipbuilding, which is constructing six vessels for the AOPS project under a $2.3 billion contract from the government; and Fleetway Inc., which provides engineering and support services for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Canadian Coast Guard.
The AOPS project will deliver six ice-capable offshore patrol ships that will conduct sovereignty and surveillance operations in Canada’s Exclusive Economic Zone, including in the Arctic. The AOPS is part of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) which was announced back in 2010. The RCN will also use the AOPS to support other units of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to conduct maritime-related operations and to support other government departments in carrying out their mandates.
“This contract with Bluedrop provides a significant investment in Nova Scotia, creating jobs and the economic spin-off in the province,” said Kevin McCoy, president of the Nova Scotia-based Irving Shipbuilding. “By investing here at home, Irving Shipbuilding can help ensure Canadian companies who are engaged in the shipbuilding industry remain competitive for years to come.”
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More than $1 billion in AOPS contracts have been delivered to over 190 Canadian companies creating jobs and economic impact across Canada, including over $405 million in contracts to Nova Scotia companies.
The AOPS vessels, currently under construction at the Halifax Shipyard, are the first ships to be built under the combat vessels package of the shipbuilding contract.
“Bluedrop is proud to be a part of this important project for Canada,” said Jean-Claude Siew, vice-president, technology, and simulation with Bluedrop. “Our state-of-the-art virtual training and simulation centre here in Halifax is the only facility of its kind in Canada and will ensure our Navy has access to leading edge training technologies to prepare and train the future fleet.”
Bluedrop has over 35 years of experience working with Canada’s Armed Forces. The company’s facility in Halifax is located near the RCN and military bases, as well as universities, making it an ideal location for collaboration, field-testing and industry validation.
Bluedrop’s Halifax office has 25 full and part-time employees dedicated to working on the AOPS project, including eight positions created for the NSS contract.