By David Dunlop, 28 March 2026
CSC TYPE 26 LM/DND RCD DESTROYER LATEST INFO GRAPHIC/CAPABILITIES AS OF 24 MARCH 2026
Here is the latest model as of 24 March 2026 for the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) Type 26 RCD Destroyer weapons & systems design provided at the Calgary, Lockheed Martin (LM)/DND booth at DEFSEC West 2026. The total Leonardo Suite including the Leonardo 127mm 5” Vulcano/Lionfish & 2 x Marlin 30mm Gun systems (including the NA-30S Mk 2 systems) have been fully removed and replaced by the US Mk 45 Mod 5 (radar system center-lined on top of the Bridge) and 2 x Bushmaster British made Mk 38 Gun systems. The NSM placement has changed (again). Now located Top-side/Starboard Aft. The RAM 116 Missile system (21) is finally confirmed located Top-side Port on a plinth with a firing arc (just forward of the Port Bushmaster Gun (looks like just 1 x RAM 116 Missile system-for now). The US-AN/SLQ-32 (V) 6 EW suite is now included. ExLS System Aft of the funnel is gone and no longer part of the design. There is an, as of now, still unidentified 12 x Missile system on the Port/Fwd Waiste Area-(not known if there is also another system on the Stb’d side). The number of MK 41 VLS Cells Fwd is still at 24 Cells vice 32 but there is still room for future growth to 32 Cells. As seen by this latest graphic, the mast is taller but has lost the X Band Illumination AESA Radar. It has been identified that the X Band Illumination Radar is now not required for the CSC Destroyer as the SPY 7 (V) 3 has the capability of targeting all threats on its own. The Port/Starboard Waist areas midships are still "cut-out" to save weight no doubt (or perhaps for 'future-proofing'). The crew size is still at 210 personnel. The ship tonnage is still at 8,080 tonnes although that may not be the full-load weight (possibly around 9,400 tonnes):
1. 1 x Lockheed Martin (LM) Solid State 3D Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) "S" Band Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR)-SPY 7 (V) 3 Phased Array Solid State Air Search Radar with integration into the CMS 330/Aegis Combat System-Confirmed by Lockheed Martin (LM/DND).
2. 2 x "X" & "S" Band Navigation Radars from BAE Systems with integration software into the CMS 330/Aegis Combat System.
3. MacDonald Dettwiler Associates (MDA)-US made US-AN/SLQ-32 (V) 6 Electronic Warfare Suite System & Nulka EW Decoy launchers.
4. MacDonald Dettwiler Associates (MDA)-Possible Future High Energy Laser (HEL) Warfare Defence System (MDA has not confirmed).
5. At least 12 “unknown” strike length ExLS-(Port-Fwd Waiste area-just below the SATCOM AE); VLS-ESSM2, SM II/IIIC-SM3/SM6 & Hypersonic Ballistic Cruise Missiles (fitted for, but not with for CSC Batch I build) Batch II build may have up to 64 ExLS Mk 41 cells as with the BAE proposed missile fit for the Australian Hunter class Type 26 Frigate and 4x4 trainable NSMs. (The Multi-Mission Bay (MMB) & Mission Bay Handling System (MBHS) would then have to be replaced to accommodate the increased missile load midships); Raytheon Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles (TLAM).
6. Combat Information Management Systems-Links 11/16/22/GCCS-M/Mode 5S Identification Friend or Foe (IFF).
7. Light Weight (LW) MK 54 Torpedo system and magazines with twin launcher tubes (Port/Stb’d).
8. Sea Spider anti-torpedo system (Magellan/TKMS)
9. 12 x as yet “unknown” ExLS VLS-Port-Fwd Waiste Area Close In Air Defence System (just below the Satcom Antenna).
10. 2 x 4 Quad packs Kongsberg NSM Surface-To-Surface Missiles-Port side Aft above Multi-Mission Bay (MMB). These NSM missiles may be increased to 4 x 4 trainable Quad packs for CSC Type 26 Batch II build.
11. Medium Caliber Gun: 1 x 5-inch US MK 45 Mod 5 127mm (LW) Land Attack and Anti-Air gun. This gun will confer the CSC ships with the ability to fire extended-range, precision-guided munitions – both in guided long-range and the ballistic extended-range versions – with conventional Anti-Air Warfare ammunition as well.
12. Secondary Guns: 2 x British made Bushmaster X-Gun 30mm weapon systems Stabilized Rapid Fire Naval Gun System.
13. Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC)-Sensor Netting-Integrated Cyber Defence System (future-proofing for possible Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capability.
14. Integrated Bridge & Navigation from OSI Maritime Systems.
15. Internal/External Secure Communications Suite-HF/UHF/SHF/VHF/SATCOM from L3 Harris.
16. Electro Optical & Infrared Systems; Radio/Radar Electronic Support Measures (ESMs) to include: Frequency Identification; Laser Warning & Electric Countermeasures System (ECM-RAVEN); Radar/Radio Frequency Electronic Jammers; Electronic Decoy Systems.
17. Lockheed Martin Combat Management System (CMS)-330/ACS-Aegis Combat Systems in support of CEC and possible future BMD-Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) Capabilities.
18. Ultra Electronics Hull Mounted Sonar (HMS)-Ultra S2150.
19. Ultra Electronics Active/Passive Towed Array Sonar (TAS); Towed Torpedo Countermeasures (TTCM)-Sea Sentor S21700.
20. Ultra Electronics Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) known as TLFAS-Towed Low Frequency Active Sonar; (This system is designed to identify and track stealthy submarines in harsh sea environments); Future XLUUV Drone capability (MMB).
21. Sonobouy Processing System (SPS) from General Dynamics with expendable Acoustic Countermeasures.
22. Combined Diesel Electric Gas Turbine Propulsion System (CODLOG) to include 1 X Rolls Royce RR/MT 30 Gas Turbine; 2 X Electronic Motors from General Electric; 4 X RR MTU Diesel Generators; Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) from L3 Harris.
23. CSC Reconfigurable Multi-Mission Bay (MMB) along with a Rolls Royce’ Mission Bay Handling System (MBHS)-reconfigurable mission and boat bays including a 9m rescue boat, two 9-12m multi-role boats, and modular mission support (standard 20ft sea containers, other vehicles).
24. “Future-Proofing”-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) Systems-U.K. Dragon Fire DEW (Port/Stb’d waist areas) or USN AN/SEQ-3 Laser Weapon System/Tactical High Power Operational Responder (THOR) DEW systems. These DEW systems however, do require more power than usual weapons systems and may necessitate higher power rated CSC Destroyer Diesel Generators (DGs). Autonomous Extra Large Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles (XLUUVs) for Special Ops missions (To be housed & launched in the Multi-Mission Bay (MMB). Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) Capability. SM3/SM6 and Hypersonic Long Range Ballistic Cruise Missiles.
25. 1 x S-92 CH 148 Cyclone Sikorsky ASW Helicopter with the ability to carry 2 X Cyclones if required in the hanger/MMB; Skeldar V200 UAV-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle helicopter drone systems (possibly x 2) from Saab-known as CU-176 "Gargoyle" helicopter drones either in the hanger or in 20 ft containers in the Multi-Mission Bay (MMB).
26. Speed-approximately 27-30 kts. Statement Of Requirement (SOR); required capability for US Carrier Battle Group (CBG) Ops.
27. Crew Compliment-210 max (with separate female officer/sailor quarters).
Overall, this model confirms a lot of what’s been expected over the past year-simplification, more Standard NATO Systems, and fewer experimental additions. Still some mysteries but we’re likely getting closer to the final configuration as the program moves towards CDR.
Cover image: A photo of the latest large-scale model of the River-class Destroyer. Credit: Royal Canadian Navy
