The following is text of a news release from Irving Shipbuilding:
(HALIFAX, Nova Scotia) — Irving Shipbuilding has announced that L3 MAPPS has successfully completed the first article acceptance testing of the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) for the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) new class of Arctic and offshore patrol ships (AOPS) under construction at Halifax Shipyard.
Irving Shipbuilding contracted L3 MAPPS to provide the IPMS for each AOPS it is constructing as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).
The L3 MAPPS IPMS provides comprehensive monitoring and control of the ship’s propulsion, electrical, ancillary, auxiliary and damage control machinery systems. With advanced functionality, such as the battle damage control system, onboard team training system, equipment health monitoring system and CCTV, as well as integration with the ship’s combat management and navigation systems, the IPMS allows the crew to safely and effectively operate the ship for all mission requirements.
“As Canada’s national shipbuilder, our 1,800 shipbuilders are hard at work building the Royal Canadian Navy’s Arctic and offshore patrol ships at Halifax Shipyard,” said Kevin McCoy, president, Irving Shipbuilding. “The completion of IPMS first article acceptance testing is an important construction milestone toward launching the first AOPS, the future HMCS Harry DeWolf, in fall 2018.”
“Further to our successful implementation of the Halifax-class frigates IPMS upgrade, we are very pleased to achieve this critical milestone in the AOPS program,” said Rangesh Kasturi, president for L3 MAPPS. “Together with the RCN, we pioneered the concept of the IPMS 35 years ago and became a global leader with this Canadian technology. We look forward to the upcoming shipboard integration and test activity to support the delivery of the Royal Canadian Navy’s newest class of ships by Irving Shipbuilding.”
The AOPS are the first ships to be constructed at Halifax Shipyard under the NSS, a competitive, open and transparent process used to select the prime contractor for the Royal Canadian Navy’s future combatant fleet. The project will equip the Canadian forces with naval ice-capable offshore patrol ships able to assert and enforce sovereignty in Canada’s waters where and when necessary, including the Arctic.
“Canadians across the country are benefiting from our work as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy. We are proud that the IPMS, a Canadian-developed system, will be deployed aboard a Canadian built vessel for the Royal Canadian Navy to serve and protect the country at home and abroad,” said McCoy.
As of March 31, Halifax Shipyard and its Tier 1 suppliers have over $2 billion in spending commitments throughout Canada, including more than $270 million in Quebec.
The Conference Board of Canada estimates that the modernization of Halifax Shipyard, AOPS shipbuilding activity, supplier contracts and the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy obligations throughout Canada will generate an estimated $3.17 billion in spending between 2013 and 2022. This is estimated to lift jobs by an average of 4,230 per year during the core AOPS build phase, 2016-2020.
