CASR  Background  ~  DND / CF  Projects

This CASR  Background Index  covers past and current projects undertaken by
the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces. DND / CF Projects include the largest of procurements and the most mundane of items. CASR makes no attempt at a comprehensive project survey. Instead, the Background Projects pages will be created when they are germain to discussion/debate on a significant procurement plan or provide background to DND/CF procurements already made.

Note:  Projects listed / linked below are arranged  by subject, not chronologically.

Background   —   DND / CF Project Articles Index

FLCS  –  DND's Future Land Combat Systems
An 'omnibus' program covering all  future Army systems – including armoured vehicles, artillery systems, networking, and 'soldier systems'  that are undergoing trials  now or  planned  for 2020.

HIAV  –  Heavy Infantry Assault Vehicle
Conspicuous in its absense in the recent vehicle announcements,  whither HIAV? An HIAV is the heavy form of  armoured personnel carrier. Similar vehicles have a combat engineering application. Most, if not all HIAVs are tank conversions. And there may lie the root of difficulty for DND.

•  Light Armoured Vehicle Projects   –   LAV III Replacement or Upgrade

LAV-H  –  Future of the LAV III Fleet ?
There are rumblings about replacements
or rebuild/upgrades for LAV IIIs. LAV-H could  be either. This evolved  LAV from GDLS is better protected and can handle heavier operational weights due to increased power and a stronger suspension.

Textron Systems candidate  for  TAPV
Textron's  Mobile Survivable Vehicle is a development of the M1117 Guardian ASV. By comparison MSV for TAPV is higher, better protected, and  turretless or, rather, to be equipped  with a RWS.

Oshkosh M-ATV candidate for TAPV
Oshkosh  Defence  unveiled  its  TAPV candidate in Feb 2011. A Canadianised version of the US military's M-ATV (or MRAP-All Terrain Vehicle), this TAPV entrant seems well-sized  for the Recce component. But as a seven-seat APC?

Force  Protection  Timberwolf  TAPV
Team Timberwolf  is offering a Cougar tailored to the CF's TAPV requirement. This Timberwolf  retains the Cougar's blast-resistant  hull  but  with a shorter crew cab and independent suspension. The RWS proposed has two weapons.

BAE Systems  RG35 RPU  for TAPV
Land Systems OMC, the South African vehicle division of  BAE Systems built a 6x6 demonstrator. That concept  has been completely redesigned to tailor it to CF needs. The resulting RG35 RPU is one BAE/GDLS-C entrant for TAPV. [ See RG31 and Hägglunds Alligator.]

BAE  Hägglunds Alligator  for  TAPV
One of three BAE Systems vehicles to be submitted for TAPV, the Hägglunds Alligator  remains  enigmatic. This  6x6 is derived from Sweden's SEP series of hybrid-electric demonstrator  vehicles. Details on  this  conventionally-driven Alligator are sketchy but it retains the modularilty of the SEP hybrid vehicles.

CCV – the Close Combat Vehicle Project
CCV would  be Infantry Fighting Vehicles able to stay with the CF's Leopard 2 tank regardless of terrain. Part of  FLCS' Future Combat Vehicle Systems,  CCV was put to the Government  as a high priority  just as the Canadian economy  joined the global meltdown.  CCV's future is now unknown.

CCV  –  the Close Combat Vehicle Project  –  Redux
Due to this project's many twists and turns,  the Close Combat Vehicle Project must be revisited. This Infantry Fighting Vehicle project has never had the priority of the larger (but muddled) TAPV Project. As a result, the CCV has stalled repeatedly and candidates  (real or potential ) come and go. This is an overview of the CCV Project.

BAE Hägglunds CV9035 Mk III CCV
The CV9035 Mk III  is the CV90 variant used by Denmark and the Netherlands. CV9035 is now the only tracked vehicle being considered  for  the CCV Project. Other nation's CV9035s have had local turret assembly.  It is not clear whether BAE Systems, if successful in CCV, will be offering  full vehicle assembly in Canada.

CCV Project Candidate: Nexter VBCI 25
Against all expectation, a wheeled IFV was the second official  CCV candidate. Nexter submitted its 8x8 VBCI 25 – essentially the French Army's VBCI VCI. While a wheeled submission surprised many, so too did the aluminum armour and a 1-man turret armed with a gun in the same calibre as LAV III.

CCV Project Candidate:  Nexter VBCI 30
Nexter's VBCI was designed to accompany tanks much like Canada's CCV Project. IFV suggests a medium calibre gun and Nexter has hedged  its bets. The VBCI 30 has a 2- man turret armed with 30mm Bushmaster II. The Italian turret provides better 'situational awareness' and firepower than VBCI 25.

CCV Candidate – GDLS-C Piranha 5
Piranha 5 is an enlarged and  heavier armoured evolution of the CF LAV III (which also sprang from Switzerland's Mowag). Piranha 5  for CCV is armed with a Rheinmetall Lance turret as per erstwhile competitor, the Artec Boxer

With the winnowing of the CCV Project, several major (or expected candidates) have been withdrawl or not submitted.  The pages listed below have now been eliminated.

'IFV Close': IFV/CCV Marder Update
Refurbished  ex-German Marders were initially rejected  for CCV.  Rheinmetall persisted  with its heavily-uparmoured Marder rebuild as IFV/CCV. In the end Rheinmetall Canada did not submit any CCV candidate chosing instead to become a partner to erstwhile rival GDLS-Canada.

Artec Boxer (KMW & Rheinmetall)
Boxer is a very large wheeled 8x8. As an IFV, Rheinmetall-Canada offered a Lance MTS turret with 30mm Mauser cannon. That same two-man turret  is now offered on GLDS-C's Piranha 5.

•  Logistics Vehicle Projects   –   Armoured Support Vehicles

The Armoured Heavy Support Vehicle
Canada has order 86 Actros AHSVS for Afghanistan. Cargo AHSVS will replace HLVWs, there is also a tank transporter
on order  for  the Leopard 2 A6M tanks.

•  Armoured Vehicle Projects   –   Armoured Patrol Vehicles

Afghan-standard LAVs –  LAV III LORIT
LAV III LORIT ( LAV Operational Require- ments Integration Task ) is to combine and rationalize the many survivability upgrades made to LAV IIIs  in Afghanistan since the 2006  re-deployment to Kandahar Province.

The  Light  Armoured  Vehicle - Remote  Weapon System
The LAV-RWS Project is in the news again. The claim that these LAV TUA conversions were "rushed" into the field in Afghanistan  is a bit rich  after the recent slamming that LAV-RWS Project management recently received from the OAG's audit of this project. But the LAV-RWS are now in Kandahar - although only 18 vehicles will ever serve there.

The Armoured Patrol Vehicle Project  ( APV )   was
to meet an Immediate Operational Requirement  (IOR) for the deployment to Kandahar. Bids were submitted for three  blast-resistant candidates:  KMW with their Dingo 2 ,  Thales Canada with the ADI  Bushmaster , and  GDLS - Canada  with the winning  RG-31 Nyala.

Light Armoured  Reconnaissance Vehicle  Project LARV, announced in January 2006, was described as a "mini-Coyote". LARV was meant to fill the slot between the larger Coyote LAV-Recce and small G-wagon C&R. LARV must have been eclipsed by the TAPV Project.

•  Armoured Vehicle Projects   –   Direct Fire Support  (DFS)  Vehicles

Mobile Gun System  ( MGS Stryker ) Project
Canadian direct-fire support  became an issue
in Panjwaii. So, what ever became of  MGS or
the US  M1128 Stryker wheeled 105mm gun ? We scratch among  the ruins of  a  CF project.

Multi-Mission Effects Vehicle  ( MMEV ) Project The MMEV was to be a dual-purpose anti-aircraft and anti-armour system. Intended as one part of a system-of-systems including MGS and LAV TUA, the MMEV morphed  from  futuristic fantasies into
a  LAV with a warmed-over ADATS  turret on top.

LAV  TUA  ( LAV  TOW-Under-Armour)  Project
LAV TUA is the simplest of the three DFS projects. As an expediency, the turret from the tracked M113 TUA is being upgraded and transfered to a LAV III hull. LdSH(RC) are field testing the wheeled TUAs.

Armoured Personnel Carrier Life Extension Project
The APCLE was an M113 APC modernization project. The goal was to produce support vehicles for a  LAV III-dominated force quickly and at comparatively little expense. Instead, costs soared and APCLE would be cut back. But the resulting TLAVs went on to perform vital service in Afghanistan.

•  Mineclearing Vehicle Projects

Improved  Landmine Detection System  Project The CF's  ILDS  Project combined multiple mine detection, marking and clearing systems on two remotely-operated vehicles – M113 'Protection Vehicles' and the 'Remote Detection Vehicles'.

•  Artillery Projects

MAVS Mobile Artillery Vehicle System Project Until the 155mm howitzers were rush-ordered  for Kandahar, CF artillery was  focused on  improved targeting and mobility through the MAVS project mounting the C3 on an MLVW replacement truck.

The Future Indirect Fire Systems Project
Is associated with MAVS (above) but little
has been heard of  that project of  late. Has
the  purchase of  155mm  howitzers opened the possibility of  a  large-calibre  SP again?

Future Indirect Fire Systems  ( FIFS )  Project
A review of the LAV III-based 105mm self-propelled guns often put forward as alternatives to MAVS  – DND's proposed truck-based 105mm C3 howitzers.

•  Land Force Weapons Projects

CRR  –  .308" Canadian Ranger Rifle
The Canadian Ranger Rifle (CRR)  is a part of DND's Small Arms Replacement Project II. The goal is to replace the 65- year old Lee-Enfield No4 MkI* with a new bolt-action rifle for the Canadian Rangers.

Company Area Suppression Weapon ( CASW ) Project CASW was the drawn-out project to provide the CF with sight-integrated automatic grenade launchers that fire a programmable projectile. Earlier, we reviewed candidates but DND has chosen the C16 based on the German GMG AGL. The C16 CASW will not enter service until after the end of the Canadian combat deployment to Afghanistan.

•  Naval Projects

The Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship?
With the contract award for AOPS definition came an artist's concept of the Arctic patrol ship. What do the AOPS design changes tell us?

Joint Support Ship Project
CASR has reviewed  JSS and
a number of alternatives in the past. DND's earlier attempt to get industry to bid on this hybrid transport/AOR failed. A straight AOR ACAN was issued preferring an existing AOR design from either Spain or Germany.  Neither bid.

BMT's Aegir 26 R as new JSS AOR?
Having decided on an ACAN order for JSS AOR candidates, our  Government is surprise to find that neither potential supplier is prepared to bid.  The RCN is left with one, mysterious 'domestic' offering. Almost certainly this is from consultant BMT's Aegir AOR family. But which model?


Remote Control Heavy Machine Gun  (RCHMG)  Project
The RCHMG Project is intended to provide Navy frigates
and MCDVs with a close-in defence system which can be operated under protection ( from weather and hostile fire ) unlike the current, exposed, crew-operated  machineguns.

Orca YAG 300 Training Boat Replacement Project
As the sole new-hull  Canadian Navy  project  since
the Kingston class MCDVs, little is heard about the new Orca class training and patrol craft. Fitting out
is underway, sea trails to begin. Why no publicity ?

•  Air Force Projects

CF-18 MTT/Advanced Distributed Combat Training System
The Air Force's  CF-18  Multi-Task Trainer (MTT) simulators and Part-Task Trainers (PTTs) make up the CF-18 Advanced Distributed Combat Training System (ADCTS)  which allows the networked training of CF-18 pilots in separated locations.

Snowbird  Replacement  Project
The on-again, off-again Snowbird Aircraft Replacement Project  –  or SARP is reviewed. Update on  the Swiss Hawk unsolicited proposal.

SARP (and Training Aircraft) Specs
A quick technical summary of aircraft mentioned in relation to SARP  –  the
CT-114, CT-155, CT-156,  and  CATS.

Fixed-Wing  Search  and  Rescue  Project
FWSAR, the on-again/off-again  project  to replace six remaining CC-115 Buffalos  and remove SAR  from the list of  basic CC-130 Hercules duties. There are two candidates.

•  CF  UAV  Projects

CF  UAV  ( Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle )  Project
The CF's  UAV Project falls into both Army and Air Force bailiwicks  –  the tactical UAV, Sperwer changed hands in mid-stream. See separate index.