Situational awareness across air, land and sea, is key to successful military operations and supporting the safety and security of our land forces while on operations. It helps alert troops to any incoming direct or indirect fire, monitor unmanned aerial systems and other enemy aircraft, and prevent friendly fire incidents. That's why, through the Airspace Coordination Centre Modernization (ASCCM) project, we are improving land forces capabilities for airspace monitoring and coordination.
To this end, the Government of Canada has now completed the final significant acquisition under the ASCCM project. In December 2021, Canada signed an $8.6 million (USD) acquisition and in-service support contract with Elbit Systems UK. The contract will deliver the last software required for the complete modernization of CAF's Airspace Coordination Centres (ASCC). Delivery of these remaining software components is expect by June 2022.
Once fully modernized, the ASCCs - which can either be integrated into land vehicles or be set-up remotely in various infrastructure spaces - will be a digitally based, information-sharing system that is interoperable with allies and integrated with military and civilian airspace control systems.
Under the ASCCM project, a total estimated value of $44 million, we have also augmented the current ASCC capabilities by delivering:
- Five upgraded Light Armoured Vehicles (LAV) 6.0 configured as new Airspace Coordination Centres;
- Five Medium Support Vehicle System Specially Equipped Vehicle Shelters (ISO container-based workspaces) specially equipped as new ASCCs
- New data link radios (to maintain digital communications between ground, air, and navy systems), laptops, and Land Command Support Systems applications for use in the LAV and mobile shelters;
- New airspace coordination software; and
- Simulation and training tools.
Initial Operational Capability of the ASCCs is expected in November 2022, with Full Operational Capability in November 2023.
