Mr. Norman R.A. Smyth, President of Thales Systems Canada Inc. (Thales Systems) of Ottawa, Ontario, announced today that the Company has been awarded a $57 million contract by Fenco Engineers Inc., a subsidiary of SNC-Lavalin, to provide electronic systems for the twelve Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels being constructed for the Department of National Defence.

In making his announcement, Mr. Smyth said that Thales Systems’ role in the MCDV Project is the largest systems integration project undertaken to date by the Company. Thales Systems will have responsibility for the majority of the MCDV’s mission systems including the exterior and interior communications, sensors, navigation, weapons and minesweeping. Thales Systems will also have responsibility for the integrated logistics support associated with these systems.

The navigation system to be integrated by Thales Systems includes a differential GPS positioning system complete with shipboard equipment and two shore reference stations, as well as LORAN C, speed log, gyrocompass, echo sounder, non-electrical navigation aids, and meteorological equipment. This system provides repeatable positional accuracy to within 5 meters – a difficult objective to attain, yet one which is necessary to meet the ship’s operational requirements.

The exterior communication system being integrated by Thales Systems includes LF/MF/HF, VHF, and UHF equipment for plain and secure voice and data, as well as PC-based communications control and monitoring system and message processing system. These systems will use software developed by Thales Systems in Ada for this application. The communications system design was supported by extensive analysis of predicted performance, including propagation ranges, interference effects, antenna and sensor placement, etc. Portions of this system will also find application in other projects.

Today’s announcement followed an earlier contract worth approximately $650 million to Fenco Engineers as the prime contractor for the MCDV project. Other members of the Fenco team include Halifax-Dartmouth Industries Limited and German Marine of Nova Scotia, MacDonald Dettwiler of British Columbia, and Eduplus of Quebec.

After delivery, the MCDV ships will form the cornerstone of the revitalization of the Naval Reserve. They will be used for coastal defence including surveillance, control and assistance to other government departments, and will be supported under contract by Canadian industry.

The MCDV project will eventually involve a team of approximately 40 engineering and technical personnel at Thales Systems over the seven year implementation phase. These highly trained personnel will encompass software, electrical, and mechanical engineering, as well as technical trades associated with system integration, test installation, and support.

Thales Systems, based in Ottawa, Ontario, is a Systems Engineering Management Company which designs, develops, delivers, and supports defence and aerospace systems. The Company’s main products include Mission Systems, Command and Control Systems, Space Robotics, and Mine Clearing Systems. Thales Systems is a subsidiary of Thales, the world’s second largest defence/aerospace electronics company.