By Moderator, 8 November 2024
As the saga to build the Canadian Surface Combatants/River-class destroyers continues, the Halifax-class frigates will remain the Royal Canadian Navy’s workhorses for a few more years. This will mean continuing updates and upgrades. At the end of October, the federal government awarded Lockheed Martin Canada (LMC) a contract renewal for the combat system integration in-service support for the Halifax-class frigates. The frigates are equipped with LMC’s Combat Management System 330 (CMS 330), a system that enhances fleet connectivity, and was originally developed for the RCN. The system is now used in some other navies as well which is an important factor in interoperability. This contract is valued at up to $1.85 billion. It is designed to ensure the ships remain equipped for the remainder of their lifetime.
One thought on “In-Service Support for the Halifax-class”
“CMS 330 integrates all ships’ sensors, information systems and effectors to optimize situational awareness, decision making and deliver the right offensive/defensive effects on target, on time” Ref A. https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-ca/cms330.html
Basically, a computerized control over ship’s weapons and sensors, including ‘auto-engage’ mode when CMS 330 automatically chooses effector and fires against incoming target based on predetermined algorithm called Threat Evaluation and Weapon Assignment (TEWA). Some other interesting modules are Battle management, Situational awareness, EW, TCM, Link 16, comprehensive on-board training and so on. Pretty cool stuff. Upgrade is long overdue.