(NSI News Source Info) OTTAWA - March 11, 2009:Thales Canada and General Dynamics Canada have been awarded contracts to provide the Canadian Army with new communications software and support over the next five years. 
Effective communications is the cornerstone of the digital battlefield. Without effective communications, an otherwise powerful force can be rendered unable to function in a coordinated manner.
Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced on March 9 the two contracts totaling 524 million Canadian dollars ($420 million). They are both related to the Land Command Support System project that integrates various Army communications and command-and-control systems.
A 184 million Canadian dollar contract was awarded to Thales Canada for software support and provision of a battle management system. The second contract for 341 million Canadian dollars went to General Dynamics Canada for engineering and integration support of the system.
MacKay called the Land Command Support System (LCSS) critical for Canada's Army.
"The LCSS pulls together a variety of functions such as radio communications, in-theater force positioning and surveillance, and the reconnaissance sensors to create something that is best described as the Army's battlefield Internet," he explained at the news conference. "The LCSS is essential for our soldiers, as it gives them rapid connectivity that is so crucial on today's battlefields."
Both contracts are for a five-year period, with the Canadian government having the option of exercising five additional one-year terms.
"This will provide stability in how we design, develop and sustain the LCSS going forward, with General Dynamics supplying engineering and integration support and Thales Canada providing software support for the system," MacKay said. "The expertise and capability of these two companies will prove indispensable in maintaining the superior quality of the LCSS over the long term."
Amy MacLeod, a spokeswoman for General Dynamics Canada, said most of the work will be done in the company's facilities in Calgary, Alberta. General Dynamics Canada has provided in-service support for the Army's digital communications system since 2003.
Conrad Bellehumeur, a spokesman for Thales Canada, said the firm is looking at building on the Canadian contract by marketing such software in the future to international markets, as well as to security-related civilian organizations such as police forces.
Effective communications is the cornerstone of the digital battlefield. Without effective communications, an otherwise powerful force can be rendered unable to function in a coordinated manner.
Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced on March 9 the two contracts totaling 524 million Canadian dollars ($420 million). They are both related to the Land Command Support System project that integrates various Army communications and command-and-control systems.
A 184 million Canadian dollar contract was awarded to Thales Canada for software support and provision of a battle management system. The second contract for 341 million Canadian dollars went to General Dynamics Canada for engineering and integration support of the system.
MacKay called the Land Command Support System (LCSS) critical for Canada's Army.
"The LCSS pulls together a variety of functions such as radio communications, in-theater force positioning and surveillance, and the reconnaissance sensors to create something that is best described as the Army's battlefield Internet," he explained at the news conference. "The LCSS is essential for our soldiers, as it gives them rapid connectivity that is so crucial on today's battlefields."
Both contracts are for a five-year period, with the Canadian government having the option of exercising five additional one-year terms.
"This will provide stability in how we design, develop and sustain the LCSS going forward, with General Dynamics supplying engineering and integration support and Thales Canada providing software support for the system," MacKay said. "The expertise and capability of these two companies will prove indispensable in maintaining the superior quality of the LCSS over the long term."
Amy MacLeod, a spokeswoman for General Dynamics Canada, said most of the work will be done in the company's facilities in Calgary, Alberta. General Dynamics Canada has provided in-service support for the Army's digital communications system since 2003.
Conrad Bellehumeur, a spokesman for Thales Canada, said the firm is looking at building on the Canadian contract by marketing such software in the future to international markets, as well as to security-related civilian organizations such as police forces. 
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