On Watch September 27, 2023 Edition

September 27, 2023

On Watch Newsletter Edition September 27, 2023

CMISA Updates
In the Spotlight
Technical Feature
Marine Sector News

Upcoming Events
Procurement Opportunities
Marine Careers

Build / Support / Sustain

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From Colin's Desk

Hello all,

Welcome to another edition of On Watch! With DEFSEC Atlantic 2023 fast approaching, I am looking forward to connecting with many of you in Halifax. Should you wish to meet, please do reach out! Speaking of events, we do try to capture as many relevant ones as possible for you so head over to the Events page on the CMISA website often AND please let us know if we’ve missed anything.

We’ve got lots of sector-specific news items to share in this edition, as September is also the time of year for new developments and project updates. We are also pleased to present another of our Member Spotlights featuring mechanical engineer Roxanna Kemp from Leonardo DRS Technologies Canada Ltd. The Leonardo DRS team will be at DEFSEC too, so you will be able to meet the team and learn more about why talented women like Roxanna are able to make their marks in the highly specialized state-of-the-art naval technology space that DRS is in.

If you enjoy these features and are a member and would like to be highlighted in a special feature, please do reach out and we will arrange it. If you are not yet a member, but would like to be, we encourage you to join here! If you know of others who might benefit from membership, please share the sign-up link.

I hope you enjoy this early fall edition and do send any suggestions you may have our way.

All the best to everyone!

Colin Cooke

President and CEO

Member Spotlight

Leonardo DRS Technologies Canada Ltd.

Photo of Roxanna Kemp courtesy of Leonardo DRS Technologies Canada Ltd.

Leonardo DRS Technologies Canada Ltd.(DRS) has Canadian facilities headquartered in Ottawa. In Canada for over 50 years, DRS manufactures and supports a broad range of military communications, electro-optics, surveillance and sensor signal processing systems for naval and ground operations, as well as electronic warfare threat simulation and training systems ranging from computer-based training to high-power threat simulators.

DRS mechanical engineer Roxanna Kemp is proud to work for a company that takes on challenging projects and is seen as the “gold standard” for the industry. One of DRS’ signature products, its SHINCOM 3100 Shipboard Integrated Communications software and equipment is the premiere naval communications equipment present on many of the world’s naval vessels, including four of the Five Eyes alliance vessels. DRS continues to push the envelop in the design of new shipboard communications systems to meet the needs of navies today and into the future.

Roxanna herself works on the design and testing of electronic enclosures for naval electronic systems, which is satisfying work for a mechanical engineer. DRS focuses on finding innovative and unique solutions for each customer, which includes design work. It would be much easier, according to Roxanna, to replicate past designs, but undertaking new designs involves a more complex set of decision making and greater accountability to meet new requirements to ensure an optimal solution, both for fitting legacy systems and for new systems.

This kind of iterative design work is helped by the fact that DRS has a testing facility so that engineers can test prototypes to get them perfect, which is both challenging and fulfilling. The testing facility is really, as Roxanna puts it, a centre of excellence. As she says, “My personal draw is the type of work I get to do: new design, analysis, integration of requirements, and production all the way through to manufacturing. It’s a full optimisation lifecycle.”

Having started at DRS as a coop student while still in university, five years on Roxanna has remained at the company due to the supportive team and the conducive work atmosphere. “DRS cares about its people and respects our time and work,” and she even mentions the ice cream truck brought in for lunch! What Roxanna particularly appreciates is the number of local graduates employed by DRS. Having grown up in nearby Carleton Place, she appreciates that there are satisfying high-tech jobs available so local graduates can continue to work and live where they grew up.

DRS is also very eager to take initiatives to hire more women into this male-dominated field, especially as more women are completing technical STEM degrees. DRS actively sponsors organizations which empower women in defence and science and provides rewarding work to women like Roxanna. As a technology leader in Canada, DRS is a company that will continue to offer exciting jobs in the Canadian and global marine sector.

The Leonardo DRS team and Roxanna will be present at DEFSEC and everyone is welcome to stop by to say hello, ask any questions, and see some of their products firsthand.

Website Here

TECHNICAL FEATURE

Technical Information

Cyber Month

Cyber Security Awareness Month (Cyber Month) is an internationally recognized campaign held each October to help the public learn more about the importance of cyber security. The campaign helps Canadians stay secure online by teaching them simple steps to protect themselves and their devices.

The theme for Cyber Security Awareness Month 2023 is Step up your cyber fitness. It’s all about stretching your cyber security muscles and taking things one step at a time! Cyber security is a shared responsibility, so join us and other organizations across Canada in promoting cyber security by participating in Cyber Month.

Cyber Security Awareness Month Resources

Week 1: Warmup Week

Week 2: Account Workout

Week 3: Learning Self-Defence

Week 4: Maintaining Muscle

Week 5: Strength in Numbers

All Technical Info Here

Recent News

ISED Funding Opportunity for Pre-Commercial Innovative Prototypes

Funding streams for prototypes for Advanced Sensor Technologies, Uncrewed Autonomous Systems, Digital Enablers

Canadian Coast Guard Air Cushion Vehicles to be Upgraded

The Canadian Government announced the publication of an advance contract award notice to Griffon Hoverwork for work to support the modernization of the Canadian Coast Guard’s fleet of air cushion vehicles, also known as hovercrafts.

Navy Expanding ‘Cold Spray’ Welding Alternative in Fleet Repair

New technology known as ‘cold spray’, portable welders, can help fix parts onboard ships or submarines sailing in conflict zones or moored at home.

Canadian Frigate AEGIS Capability to be Tested at US Site

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a near $85M contract for the establishment of the AEGIS Canadian Surface Combatant land-based test site in New Jersey.

The Mackenzie River is a Lot Lower than Normal. Those Who Rely on it Wonder if it’s an Anomaly

One of the longest rivers in Canada, the Mackenzie, used as a highway to transport goods to remote communities, is experiencing historically low water levels.

Canadian Coast Guard Dedicates Third Converted Icebreaker

The CCGS Vincent Massey, the third of three medium icebreakers converted by Chantier Davie, was welcomed to the fleet in a dedication ceremony. The interim icebreakers will provide icebreaking services in the St. Lawrence River, Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic region, as well as supporting environmental response and search and rescue operations.

Charting a Practical Course to Decarbonize the St. Lawrence System

As part of the PLAINE Research Program for the Mitigation of Impacts of Commercial Navigation on Ecosystem developed by Réseau Québec maritime and led by Université de Montréal, the port authorities of Montreal, Quebec City and Trois-Rivières have launched a project to chart a practical course of action for a totally carbon-free St. Lawrence system.

Canadian Surface Combatant Land-Based Testing Facility

Construction of the Canadian Surface Combatant Land-Based Testing Facility at Hartlen Point in Nova Scotia has begun with begun with the first phase of site preparation.

Canada’s Most Modern Submarine Returns to the Water

When Her Majesty’s Canadian Submarine (HMCS) Corner Brook began its undocking on June 13, 2021, it became the most modern submarine in the Royal Canadian Navy. Corner Brook has been in an Extended Docking Work Period since 2014 which included fixing damage caused by a grounding, as well as other maintenance routines and upgrades, such as a new communication mast and a new sonar suite.

Admiral’s Medal

The Naval Association Canada Naval Affairs is responsible for ensuring that the Admiral’s Medal, bestowed upon individuals to recognize the advancement of maritime affairs in Canada, and will be standing up a committee to carry out the review and selection process. Nomination instructions and a Nomination Form are available.

IMO Urged to Prioritize Actions to Reduce Underwater Noise by Ships

The International Maritime Organization hosted a workshop exploring the relationship between energy efficiency and underwater radiated noise from shipping, identifying that actions that will make ships quieter and reduce their climate impact must be prioritized.

World’s First Methanol Battery-Hybrid RO/ROs will Showcase Wärtsilä Tech

Wärtsilä has been chosen to supply an integrated hybrid propulsion system for the two new methanol battery-hybrid NewMax vessels Stena Line is to deploy on its Belfast-Heysham Irish Sea route in 2025.

Crowley to Develop Nuclear Power Plant Ship Concept

Crowley has announced a memorandum of understanding with Virginia-based nuclear power company BMX Technologies to develop a ship concept that includes a microreactor for generating zero-carbon emission nuclear power for shoreside operations.

BAE, Cellula Robotics Partner on Underwater Drone, with Test Next Year

BAE Systems is partnering with the Canadian firm Cellula Robotics to showcase its extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle in the U.K. next year. As the undersea battlespace matures, some companies are looking to speed up the development of uncrewed platforms that can work in tandem with crewed vessels to cover larger surface areas or serve as smaller alternatives to submarines to carry out covert operations.

Securing the Sea for Exercise CUTLASS FURY 2023

Defence scientists took to the seas to improve the safety of marine mammals during Exercise CUTLASS FURY, a biennial NATO exercise that takes place in the North Atlantic off the coast of Nova Scotia.

More News Here

HMCS Sackville

HMCS Sackville is the last surviving WWII corvette, and she needs your financial support to keep her afloat. These “cheap and nasties” were born out of a need to defend convoys from the German U-boat threat. Like their French naval predecessors, Canadian corvettes were built on an old single-hulled whaler design. We re-plated over the original steel in 2020, however Sackville requires a new hull to remain in the water for posterity.

View Website: Here

Coming Soon

IMO-UNEP-Norway Innovation Forum 2023

The IMO-UNEP-Norway Innovation Forum 2023 will take place as part of the World Maritime Day celebrations. The 2023 theme is “MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on”. Topics will include: Environmental performance; reducing plastic litter from ships; supporting innovation in marine fuel production; decarbonizing the maritime sector; unlocking green finance; and partnerships and collaboration.

Date: September 28, 2023

DEFSEC Atlantic 2023

DEFSEC Atlantic, presented by the Atlantic Canada Aerospace & Defence Association, is a major networking opportunity for the Aerospace, Defence and Security industries - the second largest of its kind in Canada. Focused on showcasing Atlantic Canadian opportunities, the show's worldwide reach creates partnership potential for all attendees. Incorporating elements of both a trade show and a defence procurement conference, it provides access to "the right people" in an engaging and professional setting. All attendees have opportunities, through our B2B meetings program, social events, presentations & expert panel discussions and communications tools, to interact with all levels of defence, industry and government participants.

Date: October 3-5, 2023

ABCMI's Annual Business Opportunities Conference and Trade Show

Participate in the west coast marine event of the year!

Date: October 17-18, 2023

More Events Here

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