CAE has secured a contract from Lockheed Martin Canada to support the design phase of the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) ship programme.

The subcontract requires CAE to support combat systems training needs analysis and training media analysis over the next several years.

CAE noted that the services rendered will contribute to the overall CSC training system design.

The contract also includes human factors engineering and professional services to input the design of critical spaces on the ship.

In addition, CAE will support the establishment of an integrated data environment.

CAE business operations vice-president Joe Armstrong said: “We are excited to begin work with Lockheed Martin Canada on this critical programme for the Royal Canadian Navy as part of Irving Shipbuilding’s CSC programme team.

“Our experience and expertise supporting the Royal Canadian Navy with world-class solutions, as well as human factors engineering services will play a key role in the design and development of capabilities specific to the new CSC.”

Irving Shipbuilding is the prime contractor for Canada’s CSC programme. All 15 ships under the programme will be built at Irving’s Halifax Shipyard.

The firm awarded the vessel design contract to a team led by Lockheed Martin Canada.

The team includes CAE, BAE Systems, L3 Technologies, MDA, and Ultra Electronics.

Canada selected the Lockheed Martin winning team’s BAE Systems Global Combat Ship design. The CSC will also feature Lockheed Martin’s CMS 330 combat management system.

Construction on the vessels is expected to start in the early 2020s. The CSCs will replace the country’s Iroquois-class destroyers and Halifax-class frigates.