General Dynamics Wins Canadian Contracts For Enhanced UAV Surveillance, Global Mercury Anchor Stations

General Dynamics has won three contracts worth $311 million for the Canadian defense forces that include providing Mercury Global anchor stations and surveillance system for light armored upgrade vehicles, the company announced Thursday.

Two of these contracts are worth CDN $59.1 million (US $51.8 million) and comprise of designing and building a network of Mercury Global anchor stations for the Canadian Forces.

The other contract worth CDN$287 million (US$252million) includes provision and integration of an enhanced surveillance suite on to Canadian Light Armored Vehicles (LAV) III Upgrade vehicles (LAV 6.0).

The LAV upgraded surveillance system contract will include a 10-meter retractable mast, an Operator Control Station and a surveillance suite inclusive of radar, thermal/day and image intensification sights, laser range finder and GPS mounted on a stabilized platform. These enhancements will allow for superior detection ranges, on-the-move operation, integrated silent watch power management and the transmission of images through the communications system.

Deliveries of LAV 6.0 vehicles equipped with the upgraded surveillance suite will commence in December 2016.

The Mercury Global project is the name given to Canada's participation in, and leverage of, the Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) system. WGS will provide high-capacity, assured and secure satellite access for communications that are vital to the Government of Canada.

Through this network of antennas, the Department of National Defense will access the WGS constellation and will be able to provide high speed secure communications for deployed Canadian Forces around the globe. The second contract provides ongoing in-service support and is valued at CDN $8.5 million.

"The sensors and information technologies used by modern militaries require access to high-bandwidth communication channels. We look forward to providing the communication channel that will help Canadian Armed Forces ensure mission success and the safe return home of the troops," said David Ibbetson, vice president, General Dynamics C4 Systems International.

Under the contract, General Dynamics Canada is responsible for the construction and installation of seven anchor stations across Canada. The anchor station antennas will be manufactured by General Dynamics C4 Systems SATCOM Technologies. Under the support contract, General Dynamics Canada will provide in-service support for up to 17 years, including 24x7 monitoring, helpdesk, mission planning, Field Service Representation, repair and overhaul, and engineering support.