Toronto-based Litton Systems Canada Limited has won a contract for the development of advanced instrument panel displays that will significantly upgrade the combat capability of the U.S. Army's Bradley Fighting Vehicles. The contract, awarded by the vehicle's manufacturer, United Defence LP of San Jose, California, will provide multifunction flat panel colour displays that generate bright, high resolution images with very low power consumption.

Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Displays (AMLCD) for the Bradley are new 6 X 8 inch units to be installed at both the commander's and squad leader's combat stations. The displays will show high definition digital map presentations, tactical data and forward-looking infrared sensor data thus allowing the operator to maintain complete awareness of the unit's tactical situation.

"Under the contract, Litton will deliver 17 pre-production units by mid-1996," said Tom McGuigan, who is President of the Canadian Division as well as being a vice president of the overall corporation.

"System integration and vehicle testing are scheduled through 1998. Litton will be competing for the follow-on production based on the design developed under this Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) programme. Potential production revenue could approach $100 million (U.S.).

"Low rate initial production is slated to begin in 1998, increasing to about 400 displays for 200 vehicles annually. Current plans are for approximately 1,600 Bradley vehicles to be modernized to what U.S. Army identifies as an A3 configuration. These displays would be manufactured in a new Litton Canada facility to be completed later this year.

"This is the first application of AMLCD technology to a production ground vehicle combat system," McGuigan said. "It is important for us to be able to extend the use of this technology to the Bradley as United Defence participates in the U.S. Army's programme to digitize and integrate the operation of all of its forces."

Litton Systems Canada Limited has been engaged in research and development of advanced flat panel displays since the mid-1980s, and is the leading North American supplier of AMLCDs for the

Canada's Aerospace & Defence Weekly

Volume 9, Number 13 April 5, 1995

Comment

Extraordinarily, National Defence is in the news almost daily. Since Somalia, gathering dirt on the CF has become a pastime for the general press. But don't despair. This onslought is going to cause a backlash from the Canadian people that will positively impact the CF.

The most recent scoops have taught the nation that some soldiers coming from UNPROFOR duty are suicidal, while a handful of others are drinking themselves silly in the former Yugoslavia. It is hard not to sympathize with the distressed troops in not just the former, but in both matters. God bless the misfortunate Major who told his charges to go ahead and enjoy the wedding celebration with the embattled locals. On this one, somebody needs to give their head a good shake. Instead of getting a supreme tongue lashing, and leaving it at that, the Major's being court martialed.

In another item, special interests have publicly challenged a CF-5 deal in the making. Someone thinks the Turkish government will change its seek-and-destroy policy toward Kurdish rebels if Canada refuses to sell surplus Freedom Fighters to NATO-member Turkey's Air Force. Really?

Litton Displays For The Bradley FV

Publisher and Editor In Chief: Micheal John O'Brien

Editorial Staff Writer:

Frederick J. Harris

Contributing Editors:

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Mike Martin (Ottawa)

Patrick McManus (Halifax)

William Kane (Washington DC)

John Reed (London, England)

Moshe Karem (Jerusalem, Israel)

The Wednesday Report is published weekly by

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worldwide military and avionics marketplace. The company is the only vertically-integrated flat panel display systems supplier in North America, using its own AMLCD display surfaces for its products. These displays are designed specifically for the severe military environments and are based on the company's cadmium selenide thin film transistor matrix process. They are sunlight readable and are lighter, shallower in depth, more reliable and consume less power than the cathode ray tube displays.

In addition to this new programme, Litton is also under contract to supply AMLCDs for the U.S. Army's RAH-66 Comanche and British EH-101 Merlin helicopter programmes. The company is also participating in the new Lookheed C-130J aircraft programme. Litton displays have accumulated more than three thousand flight hours on U.S. military C-130 and P-3C evaluation aircraft.

FEDS SETTLE WITH `PARAMAX' ON EH101 CANCELLATION

The federal government in Ottawa and Unisys GSG Canada Inc. (`Paramax' at the time of the EH101 cancellation) have reached a final settlement agreement on the company's claim arising from the cancellation of the EH-101 helicopter programme. The agreement, reached in December 1994, was announced jointly last Friday by the Honourable David C. Dingwall, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Paul Manson, President of Unisys.

The announcement of this agreement was delayed to allow for the full conclusion of negotiations between Unisys and its various subcontractors.

Following a promise outlined in the Government's so-called Red Book (the Liberal Party Of Canada's 1993 election platform) the contract with Unisys for systems integration, valued at 1.3 billion 1992 dollars was terminated on November 5, 1993.

The settlement, which totals $166 million, includes the amounts due to Unisys, its subcontractors and suppliers. Of the amount, $98 million is for work completed prior to termination and the balance of $68 million is for work in process at the time of termination and for termination costs.

In settling the matter, the Crown enlisted the services of an independent consulting firm, Lindquist, Avey, Macdonald, Baskerville Inc. Funding for this consulting contract was provided in the February 1994/95 federal budget.

"This is a fair settlement for Unisys and for Canada," Dingwall said. "Negotiating this settlement has been a long process and I am pleased that we have been able to resolve this issue."

Paul Manson, commented: "We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the Crown. The terms are firm but fair; and putting the issue behind allows us to move ahead and concentrate on new business opportunities."

DOYLE QUITS SOMALIA INVESTIGATION

Anne Marie Doyle has resigned from the Letourneau investigation into the activities of the Canadian Airborne Regiment in Somalia. The career civil servant offered her resignation when it became known that she is a long time friend of the former Deputy Minister of National Defence, Robert Fowler.

Fowler was Deputy Minister at the time of the Somalia incident and is certain to become a witness under some scrutiny as the investigation looks into all aspects of the affair including suggestions that senior officials may have withheld information about the murder of a Somali national, Shidane Arone.

Ms. Doyle, who is now serving as the Canadian Ambassador to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, says she believes that she could be impartial, but given the attention being given to her relationship with Mr. Fowler, she believes that the public interest would best be served if she were not part of the investigation.

MESA FINALIZES MAJOR DASH 8 PURCHASE — UP TO 50 A/C

Mesa Aircraft Group of Farmington, New Mexico and Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division have signed a definitive agreement for the sale of 25 Dash 8 Series 200 aircraft plus 25 options. The airline had announced its selection of the newest version of the de Havilland-built aircraft in late February.

Mesa's 25 firm aircraft orders are valued at approximately $226 million U.S. (roughly $320 million Cdn.). Deliveries are scheduled to begin in February 1996 at a rate averaging two aircraft per month.

The Dash 8 Series 200 fleet will operate through Mesa's Mountain West Airlines division in the United Express livery. Mesa's Dash 8 Series 200 service will be based out of Denver with destinations throughout the

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U.S. Rocky Mountain region.

Mesa Air Group chairman Larry Risley said the aircraft's performance from high mountain airports; passenger comfort and mechanical reliability; and other factors led to his company choosing the Series 200.

"Superior operating economics and growth potential were also a major part of the equation in making the Dash 8 Series 200 purchase decision," he added.

Bombardier's Pierre Lortie (Regional Aircraft Division president) said, "We are extremely gratified that Mesa Air Group, one of the largest regional airline systems in the world, has chosen to become the launch customer for the Dash 8 Series 200 aircraft in North America. We are also understandably pleased that this represents the largest single airline purchase of Dash 8 aircraft in the history of the programme."

The Mesa deal brings the Dash 8 order book to a total of 444 aircraft, Mr. Lortie added. To date, 395 Dash 8 aircraft have been delivered.

The Dash 8 Series 200 received Transport Canada certification in early March and first delivery, to BPX Columbia, is scheduled for late April. The aircraft is also on order for maritime surveillance and airline usage by customers in Australia and India.

It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW 123D engines flat-rated to 2,150 shp up to 45 degrees C at sea level giving the Series 200 the ability to operate from high elevation airports in hot climatic conditions without payload penalties.

U.N. CHANGES MANDATE AS 2 R22eR HEADS FOR CROATIA

The 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jacques Morneau is enroute from its home at La Citadelle, Quebec City to Croatia this week, but it may find it has a different job than that performed by the current CANBAT 1, 1st Battalion RCR. The 1 RCR under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Mark Skidmore has spent the last six months based on Rastevic, Croatia where it has manned observation posts between Croatian forces and those of the Krajina Serbs. But that may change.

Last Friday, the U.N. Security Council restructured the peacekeeping forces in the former Yugoslavia by splitting them into three different entities.

U.N. troops in Croatia will be called the United Nations Confidence Restoration Operation in Croatia (ed.: UN`CROC', we presume). This operation will be restructured, but just how is not yet clear. It has been suggested that the force in Croatia will be reduced in size from its present 12,000 to 8,000 and one thousand of those may be positioned along the Croatian border.

Troops in Bosnia, including CANBAT 2 (The Royal Canadian Dragoons) will continue to operate as the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR). The RCD are scheduled to be replaced by 3rd Battalion the Royal 22nd Regiment from CFB Valcartier in May. Defence Minister David Collenette has, however, indicated that the Canadian unit may be pulled out of Bosnia to participate in the newly structured force in Croatia.

The structure of U.N. forces in Macedonia will not be changed but henceforth will be known as the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPDF).

MD-90 SLIDES QUIETLY INTO REVENUE SERVICE

On Saturday, McDonnell Douglas's quiet MD-90 successfully carried its first passengers in revenue flight. It was a significant milestone for the beleaguered plane maker which recently was told by SAS that it would choose Boeing aircraft for its next major purchase, breaking a long-time tradition of MD product loyalty.

Delta Air Lines, the launch customer for the new twin jet, inaugurated MD-90 service from Dallas/Ft. Worth at 5:27 p.m., flying passengers to Newark. Later that evening, a second MD-90 flew passengers from Dallas/Ft. Worth to Reno.

McDonnell Douglas says its MD-90 is the world's quietest jetliner. It seats 100 or more passengers and beats current FAA noise regulations by a cumulative 24 decibels. Delta and McDonnell Douglas celebrated the initial MD-90 deliveries last month, capping a whirlwind of activity for the new twin jet, including a highly successful demonstration tour of five cities in Taiwan and the People's Republic of China.

The first flights by the MD-90 were reportedly met with enthusiasm by both passengers and crew alike. The MD-90, powered by the powerful, quiet and efficient International Aero Engines V2500 turbofan, proved to be peaceful, comfortable and capable. The April 1 flights were planned precursors to the initiation of

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full-day scheduled service by Delta on April 2.

Delta has been heavily involved in the development of the MD-90, dating back to 1989, when the airline was instrumental in initiating the programme. The MD-90 twin jet is result of the airline industry's need for a highly reliable and easily maintained aircraft that meets noise and emissions regulations now and into the 21st century. Its commonalty with MD-80s also offers significant economic benefits to airlines operating MD-80s.

Last month's delivery celebration came on the heels of a series of demonstration flights in Asia. The MD-90 drew heavy interest from airline executives, government officials and thousands of others during stops in mainland China and Taiwan.

The tour was the first appearance of the new jetliner in Asia, resulting in new admirers at each stop. With support from Delta, the sleek twin jet was flown in familiar Delta paint scheme prior to the airplane's March delivery.

McDonnell Douglas flew the 150-seat aircraft from Long Beach, California, to Taipei and Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and Shanghai, Shenyang and Beijing in the People's Republic of China.

During the two weeks of demonstration flights and other displays, airline executives and government officials came away uniformly impressed with the aircraft's interior comfort, advanced cockpit and low noise and emissions characteristics.

The MD-90 registered perfect performance over the course of 16 demonstration flights attended by representatives from 35 airlines. A total of 1,200 guests flew on the clean, quiet jetliner.

In all, the aircraft flew 22,219 nautical miles on the tour, including 3, 602 nautical miles on demonstration flights and 18,617 nautical miles on the ferry flights from the U.S., between Asian cities and back. The longest leg of the tour was an unusual routing from Beijing, China, to Saipan in the western Pacific, which was 2,553 nautical miles. The nominal range of a fully loaded MD-90 is 2,190 nautical miles. Total flight time on the tour was 59 hours, 45 minutes.

Total commitments for the MD-90 stand at 152 aircraft, including 74 firm orders. The Douglas Aircraft Co. is betting substantial part of its future on this aircraft and the much larger MD-11.

HMCS TERRA NOVA TO DRYDOCK FROM FISH PATROL

HMCS Terra Nova (DD 259) has been withdrawn from duties supporting fisheries patrol vessels off the Grand Banks and gone into dry dock in Halifax following the discovery of a one centimetre hole in her hull below the water line. Terra Nova is a Restigouche-class destroyer which was upgraded in the mid 1980s. It was temporarily replaced on fishery duties by HMCS Halifax (FFH 330) on 11 March, 1995. HMCS Toronto (FFH 333) replaced Halifax, which has other commitments, at the end of March.

B1 BOMBER GETTING SEVERAL UPGRADES

Over the next two years, a B1B programme office at Wright -Paterson AFB will let contracts for new computers, new avionics, and in the near term, a full conventional weapon suite.

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Rockwell's North American Aircraft Division a four-year, $232 million contract for the engineering/manufacturing development (EMD) phase (Phase IIB) of the B-1B Conventional Mission Upgrade Programme (CMUP). The award follows completion of the CMUP risk-reduction phase (Phase IIA), which Rockwell began work on in July 1993.

Rockwell and its principal B-1B EMD subcontractor, Boeing Military Airplane Co., will provide a near-term conventional capability through integration of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), Global Positioning Satellite and antijam communications in the aircraft. JDAM limited operational capability will be achieved by 2001; total fleet upgrade will be complete in the year 2002.

Rockwell's North American Aircraft Division (NAAD), builders of the B-1B bomber, will carry out its EMD work at the division's headquarters in Seal Beach, as well as at NAAD locations in Palmdale and Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Okla. Boeing will perform EMD work at its Seattle; Corinth, Texas; and Oklahoma City facilities. They will be supported by another Rockwell division, Collins Avionics and Communications Division, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The B-1B System Programme Office at the U.S. Aeronautical Systems Centre, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, manages the CMUP programme.

In addition, the Air Force/industry team plans to initiate upgrade of B-1B computers in 1996 and upgrade

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of defensive avionics in 1997.

The CMUP programme is a primary element of the U.S. Air Force's long-range plan to maximize the effectiveness of the B-1B as a conventional bomber. Ninety-six B-1Bs are based throughout the United States and are considered in some circles as "the backbone of the U.S. bomber fleet."

PRIOR WINS SOFTWARE CONTRACT FOR GANDER ATC

PRIOR Data Sciences has been awarded a $600 thousand competitive Transport Canada contract to upgrade the Gander Automated Air Traffic System (GAATS) software.

GAATS is a functionally mature oceanic Air Traffic Control (ATC) system that assists the controller in managing air traffic over the North Atlantic and sets the standards for other oceanic systems around the world. PRIOR has played a major role in the development and support of the current GAATS system, providing ongoing functional enhancements including: aircraft to aircraft conflict prediction, external facility communication links, dynamic `sectorization', and aircraft conformance monitoring.

GAATS Version 20 (V20) will provide significant upgrades to bring the Gander system in line with recent international agreements regarding ATC in the North Atlantic Region. This includes modifications to the conflict prediction algorithms to reflect changes in the application of minimum separation rules as defined by ICAO. V20 also includes incorporation of an enhanced standardized set of automatic ATC data interchange messages with other North Atlantic oceanic centres including Reykjavik, Prestwick, Santa Maria, and New York. Enhancements will also by made to the automatic issuance of controller clearances and processing of pilot clearance readbacks. T

Larry Humphries President of PRIOR said he believes "The GAATS upgrade furthers PRIOR's objective to provide knowledge-intensive air traffic management systems and services to the international civil and defence aviation marketplace."

Humphries also believes that a significant market for oceanic air traffic management systems exists around the world. PRIOR has been granted worldwide commercialization rights to exploit the GAATS technology and had teamed with Raytheon Co. in the United States and Logica in the United Kingdom to bid on these countries' requirements to upgrade their oceanic air traffic control systems.

CANADIAN TEAM PLAYER GAINS EDGE ON NEW DISPLAY TECH

Ceridian-owned Computing Devices Canada Ltd. announces they are part of the consortium that has recently won a $30 million Technology Reinvestment Project with the U.S. Advanced Research Projects Agency. That consortium, led by Planar Systems, is developing technologies for next-generation, high-performance electroluminescent displays for critical defence systems.

Computing Devices is to play a key role in extending current technology to very high resolution and full colour — primarily for army-vehicle applications. Their portion of the TRP is a two-year, $2 million cost-sharing programme. The Canadian government is also supporting this effort under the Defence Industry Research Programme.

CALENDAR

April 9-11 — The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada's (AIAC) Thirty-Third Semi-Annual General Meeting will be held at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa. The theme of the event is "Canadian Aerospace: Reality in a New World". Speakers will include Diane Francis, Editor, Financial Post; Finance Minister Paul Martin; Wolfgang Demisch of BT Securities Corporation, New York; and Karel Ledeboer of the International Air Transport Association. For additional information contact the AIAC in Ottawa at (613) 232-4297.

May 9/11 — Dataware Technologies is offering at no charge to The Wednesday Report's readers its "1995 Spring Seminar Series", a comprehensive half-day seminar series that offers a closer look at advanced electronic publishing solutions. Issues addressed by the seminar will include when to outsource and when to develop in-house; when either CD-ROM or `online' is more appropriate; and how CD-ROM and online can compliment one another. The seminar — to be held in Ottawa on May 9 and in Toronto on May 11 — will also address questions surrounding CD-recordable technology and publishing across the Internet. For more information, or to register, call 1-800-229-8055 and ask for the Seminar Desk.

May 30-31 — The COPWIN '95 seminar will be held at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa sponsored by the Canadian Defence Preparedness Association (CDPA). The objective of COPWIN '95 is to promote earlier

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industrial involvement in the capital acquisition process. The Department of National Defence's long-term equipment acquisition and R&D plans will be discussed, including all new projects over $500,000. The focus on the requirements will be through the 15 year planning cycle, reflecting the impact of the '94 defence white paper and the February '95 Budget. In support of DND's `Cooperation with Industry', CDPA is pleased to welcome members and non-members alike to participate in COPWIN '95. Contact the Canadian Defence Preparedness Association, 500 - 100 Gloucester Street, Ottawa ON K2P 0A4, or telephone (613) 235-5337; fax, (613) 235-0784.

June 1 — The Canadian Defence Preparedness Association will hold a two-day Maritime & SAR Helicopters Exhibition & Seminar to provide government officials and Canadian industry a forum in which to interact with helicopter manufacturers and to explore the current military helicopter requirements and various equipment options to meet these requirements. The seminar will take place at Hanger #10, International Airport, Ottawa. Fees include both June 1 and 2. Registrations must be made by May 22, 1995. For information, contact CDPA, 500 - 100 Gloucester St., Ottawa, ON, K2P 0A4; phone (613) 235-5337 or fax (613) 235-0784.

June 1 — The Military Vehicles Exhibition and Seminar, to be held at the Ottawa International Airport, is a two day seminar and exhibition sponsored by the Canadian Defence Preparedness Association to provide government and industry representatives the opportunity to discuss current military vehicle requirements and a range of possible solutions. Fees are payable in advance. Registrations must be made by May 22, 1995, after which date cancellations will not be accepted. For registration information contact Canadian Defence Preparedness Association, 500 - 100 Gloucester Street, Ottawa, ON, K2P 0A4; phone (613) 235-5337 or fax (613) 235-0784.

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