NZ's Anzac-Class Frigates Getting New CMS from Lockheed Martin

HMNZS Te Kaha (photo : Military Images)

Building on its 30-year legacy as a naval combat systems integrator, Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] Canada today announced the signing of a contract with the Government of New Zealand for the upgrade of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s two ANZAC Class frigates at a signing ceremony in Wellington on April 29, 2014.  The contract award represents Lockheed Martin Canada’s first export sale of its Combat Management System (CMS), which was designed as a modern, affordable solution for the international market.

“To have another country select our CMS is tremendously rewarding to our employees and the government of Canada with whom we’ve worked for more than three decades on similar naval programs,” said Rosemary Chapdelaine, president of Lockheed Martin Canada. “This key export of Canadian-designed technology not only reinforces Lockheed Martin’s position as a world leader in naval combat systems integration but further demonstrates our ability to successfully leverage purchases and investments in high-technology defence products to create jobs and economic growth in Canada, one of the key objectives set forth in the recently launched Defence Procurement Strategy (DPS) in Canada.”

The announcement comes following a due diligence in August last year followed by a Contract Definition Stage (CDS) in October, during which the New Zealand Ministry of Defence (NZMoD) re-confirmed its intention to contract with Lockheed Martin Canada for the ANZAC Frigate System Upgrade program’s Prime System Integrator (PSI) role.  Under the terms of the contract, Lockheed Martin Canada will be responsible for the design, installation and integration of the CMS and Combat System Trainer for the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland, as well as the procurement of new sensor and weapon systems for HMNZ Ships Te Mana and Te Kaha.

Valued at more than C$180M over four years, the program will result in significant work scope at Lockheed Martin facilities in Dartmouth, Kanata and Montreal.  Should the NZMoD take up the offer to undertake the installation work package that is provided for in the contract, this will result in additional work scope for the SEASPAN shipyard in Victoria, British Columbia. Lockheed Martin will work with several other Canadian companies across the country, as well as with its partner on the Halifax Class Modernization contract, Saab Sweden.  In addition, Lockheed Martin is working with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to include local industry in the ANZAC Frigate System Upgrade program, as well as current and future Canadian and international programs.

The CMS is a commercial variant of systems developed for the Royal Canadian Navy and leverages an Open Architecture concept that allows users maximum flexibility to incorporate individual sub-systems and components.  The original equipment manufacturer and integrator of the combat systems on-board the HALIFAX fleet, Lockheed Martin Canada has maintained an uninterrupted contractual relationship with the RCN for more than 30 years and is today prime contractor the mid-life modernization of the fleet.

Mr. Des Ashton, the New Zealand Ministry of Defence’s Deputy Secretary (Acquisitions) said that the Frigate Systems Upgrade (FSU) project will meet the Government’s aim of restoring the frigate’s surveillance, combat and self-defence capabilities in order to match contemporary threats.  “It is a very important project for the Ministry and for the Royal New Zealand Navy and comes at about the mid-life point of the ANZAC frigate’s life. The project will provide the ships with excellent systems that will enable them to perform their expected tasks through to the end of their life in the 2030’s.  We are delighted that Lockheed Martin Canada has been selected as our Prime System Integrator after a worldwide competitive tender process. We consider that Lockheed Martin’s significant experience from the Canadian Navy’s HALIFAX Modernization Programme, will be an important de-risking factor in our FSU project. We look forward to working closely with LMC to collectively achieve a successful outcome.”

New Zealand to Raise Defence Spending

Government will fund a systems upgrade for the Navy's two Anzac-class frigates. (photo : NZDF)

Budget 2014: Investing $100.9m in defence

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says the Government is committed to strengthening the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), and will be investing $100.9 million of operating funding in 2014/2015.“This significant investment in our Defence Force, combined with the savings and reinvestment achieved through recent reforms, means the Government is addressing the long term funding gap which we inherited,” Dr Coleman says.“We greatly value the ongoing work and commitment of NZDF personnel. The NZDF’s work is vital to wider New Zealand interests, and the tempo of activity is high. Recent examples include the Air Force delivering aid to the Solomon Islands, and supporting the international effort to search for the missing Malaysian Airlines plane MH370.“The frigate Te Mana deployed to the Gulf of Aden to conduct anti-piracy operations, and the Navy continues to support a range of Government agencies within our Exclusive Economic Zone. Army personnel serve internationally in a range of missions, and closer to home, they recently supported storm relief efforts on the West Coast.”

Budget 2014 confirms the NZDF’s funding approach agreed by Cabinet in November 2013 after the Defence Mid-Point Rebalancing Review.“The Government’s investment of $100.9 million in 2014/2015 is the first stage of an allocation of $535.5 million operating funding for the NZDF over the next four years,” Dr Coleman says.

“It is vital that the NZDF can continue to meet the Government’s requirements, whether it is carrying out humanitarian assistance and disaster relief work at home or in the Pacific, or contributing to wider global security efforts.“This is why the Government is funding the people and equipment needed to deliver on the 2010 Defence White Paper – enabling the NZDF to protect and advance New Zealand’s interests at home, in the South Pacific and globally.”

The Defence White Paper signalled that new money would be required over time to maintain and improve NZDF capabilities. The Government commissioned the Defence Mid-Point Rebalancing Review to look at the costing of various combinations of capabilities that would enable the NZDF to meet the Government’s expectations.The new funding outlined in Budget 2014 will enable the NZDF to maintain and improve its current mix of capabilities, and sustain and grow personnel numbers over time. It also allows the Government to continue to modernise and upgrade the NZDF’s capability.

“There has been considerable investment in defence under this Government. In the last year, we purchased new naval helicopters, army trucks and a pilot training package,” Dr Coleman says.“What’s more, the Government will shortly be awarding the contracts for a new battle training facility for the New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS) and a systems upgrade for the Navy’s frigates. A decision will also be taken on a replacement for the Navy’s tanker Endeavour.”

Since 2010, the NZDF has operated within fixed baselines, reflecting the tough fiscal environment. At the same time, the NZDF successfully delivered significant reform with a focus on delivering back-office efficiencies.“The NZDF has made significant progress on its savings and redistribution programme since 2010, and $204 million has been reprioritised across the NZDF,” Dr Coleman says.

“The NZDF remains committed to making ongoing savings and efficiencies as part of its future planning. This is vital in order for the NZDF to sustain its capability.”


http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/budget-2014-investing-1009m-defence

New Zealand SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite Achieves First Flight

The first New Zealand government NZ SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite helicopter began production flight testing at Kaman's Bloomfield, Connecticut facility. (Photo: Business Wire) 

Kaman Aerospace announced today that the first New Zealand government NZ SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite helicopter began production flight testing at Kaman’s Bloomfield, Connecticut facility. After production flight tests, this aircraft will be used for maintenance and aircrew training. The program is on track with deliveries of all ten aircraft scheduled to be complete in mid-2015.

“This milestone is significant for the program and our continued commitment to the New Zealand Maritime Helicopter Capability project,” said Drake Klotzman, Kaman’s Director, AVMRO Programs.

Peter Lowen, New Zealand Defence Force Project Manager, stated, “This flight of a NZ SH-2G(I) with a ‘Kiwi’ roundel represents a major milestone. The effort invested by the Ministry of Defence and the New Zealand Defence Force in cooperation with Kaman is now paying off.”



http://www.kaman.com/news/kaman-new-zealand-sh-2g-i-achieves-first-flight/