Lockheed Martin Canada-Led Team Awarded C$2 Billion Halifax-Class Frigate Modernization Contracts

Building on its 25-year legacy as the Canadian Navy’s systems integrator, Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] Canada and its Halifax-Class Modernization (HCM) industry team today announced the signing of two contracts totaling approximately C$2 billion for the installation, integration and long-term in-service support of a new combat system for Canada’s Halifax-Class frigates.

The Combat Systems Integration (CSI) contract will provide a new command and control system, radars, tactical data links, electronic support measures and other warfare capabilities for the Canadian Navy’s 12 Halifax-class frigates, which were commissioned between 1992 and 1997. Under the terms of the contract, Lockheed Martin also will maintain the current command and control systems until the entire fleet has received the retrofit.

“Our technical solution will deliver tremendous new capability to the fleet, and we are already working towards meeting the Navy’s requirements,” said Tom Digan, president of Lockheed Martin Canada. “In anticipation of contract award, we have for the past several months worked to put in place the necessary infrastructure and sub-contractor arrangements to ensure our ability to begin immediate delivery in respect of the demanding schedule requirements.”

The HCM CSI effort will result in an increase in the hiring of skilled engineering, technical and manufacturing employees at Lockheed Martin facilities in Montreal, Ottawa, Esquimalt and Halifax. Over the next 12 months, Lockheed Martin expects to hire up to 200 new employees.

The HCM CSI effort is supported by Lockheed Martin’s Maritime Systems & Sensors business, which is the combat system integrator for all of the U.S. Navy’s Aegis-equipped cruisers and destroyers, the Littoral Combat Ship Freedom (LCS 1) and for five international navies. In addition, industry team members Saab Systems, Elisra, IBM Canada, CAE Professional Services, L-3 Electronic Systems and xwave all bring relevant domain experience to the Halifax-class modernization program.

Lockheed Martin Canada, the original equipment manufacturer of the Halifax-class frigate’s combat system, has been the vessels’ combat system integrator for the past two decades. It is the in-service support provider for both the Halifax and Iroquois Class vessels. The company hosts the Canadian Navy’s integration lab at its facility in Montreal and employs dedicated teams in Esquimalt, BC, and Halifax, NS, to maintain and upgrade the combat systems, maintenance procedure trainers, and team trainers located there.