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Griffon Helicopter INGRESS  –  Industry/GoC News Release  –  July 2008 INGRESS  —  Interoperable  Griffon  Reconnaissance  Escort Surveillance  System:  Two  Contract Award  Press Releases Update:  26 Nov 2008  –  MND Peter MacKay announced that eight INGRESS Griffons will go to Kandahar in early 2009.  On 14 July 2008, a $25.9M contract was awarded  to L-3 Wescam to act as the INGRESS prime contractor. The contract includes supply of nineteen Wescam MX-15 True HD  electro-optical  turrets and  associated  equipment. INGRESS  –  New Electro-Optical Eyes for the Griffons but any Afghan Deployment? A contract has been awarded to L-3 Wescam to supply 19  MX-15 True HD  to satisfy DND's  INGRESS (Inter- operable  Griffon  Reconnaissance  Escort Surveillance  System )  Project.  The MX-15 True HD electro-optical/ infrared sensor offers full high-definition video (ie: 1080 lines of vertical resolution vs other HD systems' 720 p ). The 19  INGRESS  MX-15  True HD systems will replace obsolescent AN/AAQ-501  E/O turrets (left) now in use on  Canadian Forces  CH-146  Griffon utility helicopters. Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, makers of  the CH-146s, will modify 64 Griffons to accept the INGRESS package. As with the current Griffon E/O arrangement, all CH-146s will be able to mount the new system but, obviously, only 19 helicopters will be so fitted at any given time. Three of the INGRESS mission kits will be required for training and familiarization. Fifteen of the INGRESS sets will be available for operational/deployed helicopters. Some of  these 15 sets will stay in Canada  for use on security operations, others will  go to Afghanistan. It had  been rumoured that Griffons would deploy to Kandahar in the summer of  2008. With the CH-146's marginal  hot-and-high performance, it seems unlikely that Griffons will be sent now at the height of Afghan summer heat.  Of course, the Griffon could be deployed without INGRESS but that seems improbable. Plans are now to send Griffons with  INGRESS sometime in 2009.  According to the INGRESS  LOI,  February 2009 was the required date for "Initial Operational Capability to conduct ISR tasks."  Wescam is to deliver the first system in November 2008 (and  the last by summer 2009).  Prototype installation and 'on-aircraft' tests must  then be performed by  BHTCL at  Mirabel, QC. An L-3 Wescam  INGRESS  press release follows with a  PWGSC press release below. PRESS RELEASE - 07-14-08 L-3 Wescam to provide High Definition Imaging Systems for INGRESS Griffons FARNBOROUGH,  England,  July 14, 2008  –  L-3 Wescam  announced   today  that  it has been awarded a contract valued at approximately $25 million by Public Works and Government Services Canada on behalf of the Department of National Defence (DND), to provide  High Definition  Imaging systems  in support of  the  Interoperable Griffon Reconnaissance Escort Surveillance System (INGRESS) Project. System deliveries will begin in late 2008 and will be completed in the 2009 timeframe. Engineering, Installation and Airworthiness Certification support for the Canadian Forces (CH-146) Griffon heli- copter fleet will be completed by the CH-146 Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTCL). "Wescam  with its  Canadian  team members [originally an independant Canadian firm, Wescam was taken over by US  L-3 Communications in 2002] are honoured to provide the INGRESS solution to support the Canadian missions at home and in theatre," said Paul Jennison,  L-3 Wescam  vice president, government sales and  business develop- ment. "Wescam has been providing IR imaging solutions [in the form of  the Wescam Model 16SS-A or AN/AAQ-501] to the Griffon dates since 1993. Our new solution will give the Canadian Forces the leading-edge  imaging technology needed to strengthen their mission capabilities and elevate their overall situational awareness." Wescam will provide equipment in two configurations to support the Canadian Forces in both ISR and  Escort operations with real- time,  long-range  situational  awareness.  [INGRESS]  Equipment includes Wescam's  MX-15  True HD  stabilized  EO/IR  [electro- optical/infrared ] cameras  along  with  digital  HD recorders,  HD displays,  multi-functional  moving  map displays,  tactical  video downlinks and display consoles. These systems are comprised of the latest generation commercial-off-the-shelf technology that will provide  imagery and  geospatial  data  [ for map overlays ] in day, night and  diverse  environments  –  including  urban, rural, and desert.  These sensor systems will  be compliant to very stringent NATO ISR [Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance] interoperability architecture standards, and be configured in roll-on/ roll-off integrated mission kits. Government of Canada Press Release - 14 July 2008 Government of  Canada  Invests  in Equipment  for  the [Canadian]  Forces, Contract Awarded for  [ CH-146 Griffon  INGRESS ]  Surveillance System GATINEAU, Quebec, July 14, 2008  –  The Honourable  Christian Paradis,  Minister of Public Works and  Government Services Canada and  Secretary of  State (Agriculture), and the Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of  the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, today announced the Government has awarded a contract to L-3 Wescam Inc., Burlington, Ontario, for an electro-optical and infrared sensor system to be installed on the CH-146 Griffon helicopter. This procure- ment has a value, including options, of  $25.9 million, including G.S.T. "This contract will provide the Canadian Forces with an excellent surveillance system, while ensuring best value for Canadian taxpayers," said  Minister Paradis." The equip- ment procured through this project will enable the [CH-146] Griffon helicopter with the capability to provide escort and surveillance support to land operations.” "The government  is committed  to  providing  the  men and  women  of  the  Canadian Forces  with  the  best  equipment,"  said  Minister  MacKay. "This system will ensure continued  success  on  missions  both  in  Canada  and abroad, thereby safeguarding the rights and freedoms enjoyed by all Canadians." Known  as  the   Interoperable  Griffon   Reconnaissance  Escort   Surveillance  System (INGRESS), the project involves the procurement of  a common electro-optical/infrared sensor system  that can be installed  on the CH-146 Griffon along with equipment  that will allow for the operation of  the sensor for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnais- sance (ISR) and  [ transport helicopter and convoy ]  Escort tasks. A formal Request for Proposal (RFP) for INGRESS was issued on MERX,  the govern- ment's electronic tendering service [GETS], on April 16, 2008. The RFP closed on May 23, 2008.  The evaluation of  bids was concluded  on June 2, 2008,  in accordance with the plan detailed  in the RFP to determine the winning bidder.