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This CASR Background Index covers Naval vessels,
equipment, and projects – development and procurement – of interest within current
debates on Canada's military. Comprehensive listings of current Canadian Navy ships and equipment are
available elsewhere.
Background — Canadian Navy Ships, Equipment, and
Projects
• Navy – Major Naval Procurement
Projects
The sole major CF warship project was the Joint Support Ship (JSS) Project – now stalled on
budgetary issues. In 2007, the Harper government announced the
AOPS (Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship) project, now entering the definition stage. Quietly, in the background, the Single Class Surface Combatant project
proceeds, as does its stablemate, companion project, or rival – the new Destroyer Replacement
project.
The Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship?
With the contract award for AOPS definition came an artist's concept of the Arctic patrol ship. What
do the AOPS design changes tell us?
JSS is an out-growth of the earlier Afloat Logistics and Sealift
Capability (ALSC) project. It is an attempt to combine underway support (ie: replenishment at sea, or resupply
of naval vessels with bulk supplies, potable water, fuels, etc.) and sealift with in-theatre support
of forces ashore – including a complete command centre.
Joint Support Ship Project
CASR has reviewed JSS and
a number of alternatives in the past.
DND's earlier attempt to get industry to bid on this hybrid transport/AOR failed. A straight AOR ACAN was issued preferring an existing AOR design from either
Spain or Germany. Neither bid.
BMT's Aegir 26 R as new JSS AOR?
Having decided on an ACAN order for JSS AOR candidates, our Government is surprise to find that neither
potential supplier is prepared to bid. The RCN is left with one, mysterious 'domestic' offering. Almost
certainly this is from consultant BMT's Aegir AOR family. But which model?
• Navy – Minor Projects and Small Vessels
Projects
Remote Control Heavy Machine Gun (RCHMG) Project
The RCHMG Project is intended to provide Navy frigates and MCDVs with a close-in defence system which can be operated
under protection ( from weather and hostile fire ) unlike the current, exposed, crew-operated machineguns.
Orca YAG 300 Training Boat Replacement
Project
As the sole new-hull Canadian Navy project since
the Kingston class MCDVs, little is
heard about the new Orca class Patrol Craft, Training. The Orca PCT has entered service. Why is there
so little publicity?
Pacific Beginnings: Origins of the
Orca
The new Orca class Patrol Craft, Training boat sprang from Australian roots. Like a number of
patrol craft in Orca's size range,
the hull design is based on Tenix's Pacific class.
Orca's closest relative is the RAN's Seahorse Mercator navigation trainer.
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