Leonardo to supply systems for the Royal Canadian Navy’s new Canadian Surface Combatants

Rome  22 April 2021 15:57

  • Leonardo has been awarded a contract to supply four OTO 127/64 LW Vulcano naval guns for the Royal Canadian Navy’s new multi-role combat ships. The contract was further to a competitive international tender
  • The OTO 127/64 LW Vulcano is the best performing gun system on the market and it is the only one integrated with 127 Vulcano guided ammunition. Its highly flexible architecture overcomes installation constraints to fit on all types of platforms
  • Leonardo has been a trusted Canadian partner for more than 50 years with interests and commercial opportunities spanning from naval systems to helicopters to airport solutions to logistics. Through Leonardo Canada, this new CSC contract will involve our local entity Leonardo DRS, in addition to small and medium local enterprises potentially in Ontario and Atlantic provinces, creating positive economic impact in Canada.

            
Leonardo will supply to Lockheed Martin Canada four OTO 127/64 LightWeight (LW) Vulcano naval guns, including the Automatic Ammunition Handling System (AAHS) as an optional solution, for the new Canadian Surface Combatants (CSC), which will be built by Irving Shipbuilding Inc. at the Halifax shipyard in Nova Scotia. The first three systems will be installed on-board the new naval units, while the fourth will be used for training activities. The CSC programme’s aim is the construction of 15 advanced and multi-mission combat ships as part of the broader National Shipbuilding Strategy, a long-term project focusing on the renewal of the entire Canadian fleet. 

Already chosen by six navies in the last ten years, the OTO 127/64 LW Vulcano is the best performing gun system on the market, equipped with a highly flexible architecture that allows installation on all types of platforms. Its state-of-the-art technology and complete digitalization ensures continuous assistance to operators and constant support to the on-board Combat Management System (CMS) through the calculation of possible shooting solutions during mission planning.    

This system is the only one in the world seamlessly integrated with the Vulcano 127mm ammunition, both in the Guided Long Range (GLR) and the Ballistic Extended Range (BER) versions. Additionally, Leonardo’s 4AP fuze for conventional ammunition ensures high operational flexibility based on its mission-specific configuration programmability features. The OTO 127/64 LW Vulcano operates effectively even in the absence of a crew, thanks to Leonardo's AAHS solution, which guarantees automatic gun reloading by managing both Vulcano long-range precision strike and conventional ammunition simultaneously.

Leonardo’s interests and opportunities in Canada span from naval systems to helicopters to airport solutions to logistics. A trusted Canadian partner for more than 50 years, and with more than 400 employees in the country, the Company is a leading provider of products, capabilities and skill sets in the defence sector through innovative technologies and integrated services. Leonardo is strongly committed to the long-term success of Canada’s world-class defence industry and continued support and engagement with indigenous businesses. Operating in Ontario and Nova Scotia, Leonardo DRS has been a long-standing supplier of advanced naval communications, surveillance and power conversion systems to the Royal Canadian Navy for over 30 years. 

This CSC contract will create a positive impact on the Canadian defence industry and its supply chain through Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy. It is planned that Leonardo DRS’ Ottawa facility will participate in the production of select system components, contributing to direct ITB commitments. Leonardo will also involve and invest in the growth of Canadian small and medium local enterprises, engaging with potential partner companies present in Ontario and the Atlantic provinces. In addition, Leonardo is also looking to structure collaborations with academic institutions. 

The ambition to create value through the implementation of sustainability principles is at the core of Be Tomorrow-Leonardo 2030; the Company’s long-term plan aimed at developing new business opportunities and working towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN) by leveraging on technological innovation and core competencies.


Note for editors
Irving Shipbuilding Inc. has engaged Lockheed Martin Canada to lead the design team of the Canadian Surface Combatant, a powerhouse consortium of companies that includes MDA, CAE, L3 Harris, Ultra, BAE Systems and many other suppliers that will design the ship and integrate the CSC’s combat management system in Canada. The whole programme, which aims to build combat ships capably to support and protect the Royal Canadian Navy’s crew in a wide range of missions around the world, from humanitarian assistance to high-intensity conflicts, is already delivering significant economic benefits to Canada. It will bring advancements in Canadian technology and manufacturing all along the Canadian supply chain, small and medium enterprises, investments in research and development and increased global export opportunities.