General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada has recently revealed the acquisition of four contracts from the Government of Canada, collectively valued at an impressive $1.68 Billion CDN. These contracts mark a strategic collaboration aimed at fortifying the Land Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) system for the Canadian Army.
“Over three decades ago, we were awarded a contract to create the first fully integrated voice and data network in the world – this was the beginning of the digitization of the Canadian Army. Today we are looking forward to furthering our collaborative partnership with Canada in order to meet the forward operational needs of the Canadian Armed Forces,” said Andrew Shepherd, Vice President Land & Joint Solutions, General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada. “We are both excited and proud to be on the ground alongside our soldiers, innovating and delivering state-of the-art capabilities for the Canadian Army.”
Diving into the specifics, the quartet of contracts focuses on enhancing the Land Command Support System (LCSS) in key areas: System of Systems Engineering & Integration, Core Network, Applications, and Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR).
The Land C4ISR system encompasses a diverse array of cutting-edge systems and technologies designed to empower the military in perceiving, understanding, connecting, and engaging with global events. This system plays a pivotal role in expediting the gathering and dissemination of information, allowing for swift and informed decision-making in critical scenarios. General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada is poised to deliver the next generation of Land C4ISR systems, fostering an ecosystem where future advancements seamlessly integrate into the core network.
At the heart of every Canadian Army vehicle, weapons platform, and headquarters, the Land C4ISR system serves as the linchpin for coordinating and executing contemporary military operations.
1. System of Systems Engineering & Integration Sustainment Contract:
The flagship project will oversee the Architecture and Design of the system, ensuring seamless integration for collective Land C4ISR capabilities. This initiative defines the Armed Forces’ needs and subsequent system requirements, managing the comprehensive integration of Land C4ISR projects. The scope encompasses systems from the Soldier Domain, Mobile Domain, Headquarters Domain, as well as ISTAR and Simulation assets. Furthermore, the project will yield a state-of-the-art facility and a new vehicle bay at the General Dynamics campus in Bells Corners, dedicated to supporting ongoing Land C4ISR endeavors.
2. Core Network Sustainment Services Contract:
This contract is dedicated to supporting the Land C4ISR Core Network, the digital backbone that spans all domains—Soldier Domain (SD), Mobile Domain (MD), and Headquarters Domain (HQ). The Core Network is integral to the Canadian Army’s ability to control, manage, and disseminate intelligence gathered by soldiers.
3. Applications Sustainment Services Contract:
Focused on user-facing services and software, this contract leverages the Mobile Domain (MD) and Headquarters (HQ) Domain to deliver enhanced capability to end-users. In today’s information-rich military landscape, where every electronic system generates data, this initiative ensures the smooth transportation of information generated by services and software through the Land C4ISR system.
4. Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Contract:
This vital contract involves standalone systems, integrated sub-systems, and products tailored for specialized ISR services. Central to the Canadian Army’s operational prowess, this project enables the effective control, management, and distribution of intelligence gathered from soldiers and ISR sensor data collected across land, airborne, and naval domains.
General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada’s commitment to advancing the Land C4ISR system signifies a significant leap forward in modernizing the Canadian Army’s capabilities, ensuring they stay at the forefront of technological innovation in the defense sector.
“General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada has been supporting the CAF for over 75 years. We are fortunate to have exceptional staff located in Ottawa, Calgary, Sherbrooke, and Halifax with superb engineering and technical talent that enables us to innovate and excel alongside our industry and government colleagues,” said Joel Houde, Vice President and General Manager of General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada. “We are prepared to meet the challenges of the modern battlespace, and will continue the digitization of the Canadian Armed Forces today and into the future.”