Filling the skill set gap
With operational tempo at a demanding high, Canadian Forces training programs are under stress to move students through quickly, yet with fewer trainers to carry the workload. That has been compound by the fact that many skilled workers are retiring, creating a significant human resources challenge.
As a result, Vancouver-based NGRAIN has seen the demand for its simulation products rise dramatically. Prior to CANSEC 2010, the company released an updated version of its flagship product, Producer 4.1, a software program that allows subject matter experts to embed knowledge into 3D simulations and has gained widespread acceptance as a training and equipment maintenance support tool.
“Equipment [is] being fielded so quickly that the military overseas does not have time to bring people back for training,” observes CEO Paul Lindahl. “They are fielding equipment in Afghanistan that they‘ve never seen before. They have to train people not only on the operation of the equipment but on the repair and sustainment of it in the field. Our technology fills the skill set gap.”
For Vanguard’s interview with Lindahl and Arnold van den Hoeven, director of Canadian Defence, about some of the military’s training challenges, see www.vanguardcanada.com/3DSimulationTechnologyNGRAIN
Eurocopter, ENA collaborate on future technicians
Eurocopter Canada of St. Hubert, Q.C., and Ecole nationale d’aerotechnique (ENA) signed a memorandum of understanding in June that will see the two collaborate on enhanced technical and maintenance training for the helicopter industry in Quebec.
Eurocopter will provide aviation instructors to deliver Transport Canada approved courses on its AS350 series and EC120 B helicopters, both of which are widely used in the province.
“Advances in helicopter technology require parallel advances in technical training to fully utilize the unique flying capabilities of advanced technology helicopters and to operate them safely,” said Guy Joannes, president and CEO of Eurocopter Canada.
ENA prepares new aircraft maintenance engineers for careers in the aerospace sector.
In Brief
L-3 Communication Systems-West confirmed during CANSEC that it will deliver its Common Data Link Ground System, otherwise known as the STINGER, to the Canadian Forces. The announcement came just days after Toronto-based L-3 Electronic Systems trumpeted a new partnership with Elbit Systems Land and C41 called Canterra Solutions to address army requirements for electronic devices, reconnaissance systems, communication devices, logistics support, in-service support and other cutting-edge technologies. The partnership is focused on the Integrated Soldier System Program and the LAV Reconnaissance and Surveillance System upgrade…
BAE Systems and Ottawa’s DEW Engineering & Development signed a teaming agreement to collaborate on Canada’s Close Combat Vehicle (CCV) program. DEW will complete final assembly of the turret and integration tests for the vehicle should BAE win the CCV contract…
DEW also signed a teaming agreement Thales Canada to assemble Thales’ Bushmaster should the vehicle be selected for the TAPV (tactical armoured patrol vehicle) program…
The ScanEagle unmanned aircraft recently logged 17,000 combat flight hours with the Canadian Forces. The UAV, built by Washington-based Insitu, a independent subsidiary of Boeing, has completed more than 1,700 sorties for the CF since it was deployed to Afghanistan in 2008…
Toronto-based Vector Aerospace was awarded a three-year, US$30 million contract to provide comprehensive Rolls-Royce T56 engine repair and overhaul support for a fleet of Lockheed C-130H aircraft at its U.K. facilities…
CAE of Montreal recently won military contracts valued at more than $100 million to upgrade the Puma helicopter training program and build a new C-130H simulator for an undisclosed customer…
Nathalie Vrana, a teacher from Fielding Drive Public School in Ottawa, joined over 100 colleagues from 13 countries in July for the 2010 Boeing Educators to Space Camp program in Huntsville, Ala, to enhance her skills and inspire students in presenting science, technology, engineering, and math lessons based on current space exploration initiatives…
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates of Richmond, B.C., signed a contract amendment with PWGSC to extend the operation of MDA’s long endurance UAV Heron in Afghanistan to June 2011…
Halifax-based IMP Aerospace in June began work on the life-extension modification of 10 CP-140 Aurora aircraft that includes replacing outer wings, lower centre wings and the horizontal stabilizers with new structural components supplied by Lockheed Martin…
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada was awarded a $34.4 million contract in July to perform trade-off studies, design work, prototype build and testing to define the upgrades that will be incorporated into Canada’s fleet of LAV III vehicles…
According to the Washington Post, Los Angeles-based Northrop Grumman, the U.S. navy’s largest supplier of vessels, “is studying options for its shipbuilding unit that include a possible sale or spinoff.” Northrop’s shipbuilding sales in 2009 were $6.21 billion, 17 percent of its $33.8 billion in revenue.