Alion Submits Proposal for the Canadian Surface Combatant

Alion Science and Technology, along with its subsidiary Alion Canada, is pleased to confirm that it submitted a proposal for the Canadian Surface Combatant program on November 30. “Our solution delivers an effective, affordable, production-ready 21st century naval capability to meet Canada’s defence needs,” said Bruce Samuelsen, Chief Operating Officer for Alion. “Underlying the Alion offering is an unrelenting focus on affordability, risk reduction and Canadian content, grounded in nearly 50 years of experience designing and producing combatants. We feel confident this ship provides a secure and supportive foundation for the objectives of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.”

Canada selected a Military-Off-the-Shelf (MOTS) procurement model to reduce cost, improve delivery schedules and meet performance requirements. In addition, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) developed an objective, comprehensive evaluation model to assess the ship and combat system. “In our proposal, we wanted to ensure the offering covered the RCN’s requirements while also delivering the flexibility to adapt to emerging missions in the coming decades,” said Samuelsen.

The Alion solution is based on the De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate— a proven NATO vessel, built by Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding, with more than 10 years of operational excellence. Damen’s knowledge and design-for-production experience is made available to Canada through their key role as part of Alion’s team.

Alion’s combat system solution is based on the world-class capabilities of ATLAS-Elektronik and Hensoldt Sensors. ATLAS brings an outstanding, globally renowned open architecture Combat Management System that readily accepts new and evolving technologies. Hensoldt’s capability and experience in developing and fielding state-of-the art radars was central to meeting the unique Canadian requirements with a fielded, non-developmental radar. Other key suppliers include L3 Technologies Canada, Raytheon Canada Limited, DRS Technologies Canada Limited and Rheinmetall Canada Inc.

“Each decision we made for equipment selection and systems integration focused on delivering cost-effective solutions that meet the requirements while delivering robust Canadian content,” said Samuelsen. “Many original system suppliers are building systems in Canada, but our combat system partners are actually creating manufacturing jobs for Canadians.” In fact, Alion Canada provides the only domestic surface combatant ship design capability that will create additional high technology jobs through the CSC program, by including dozens of Canadian companies.

By selecting a ship with proven operational and combat experience, Alion’s solution also eliminates the risk associated with the typical lead-ship transition from design to production. “Our bid focused on reducing development and design activities, which delivers a lower overall cost,” said Samuelsen. “This is also significant from the standpoint of accelerating production.”

Using a locally developed, globally delivered business model, Alion is proud to leverage its permanent presence in Canada and a long history in advanced technologies and ship design to maximize Canadian content and further grow new, permanent, high-value skills and jobs in Canada.

About Alion Science and Technology and Alion Canada

At Alion, we combine large company resources with small business responsiveness to design and deliver engineering solutions across six core capability areas. With an 80-year technical heritage and more than 40 years as a trusted partner for the United States Navy, we bridge invention and action to support military readiness from the lab to the battle space. Our engineers, technologists, and program managers bring together an agile engineering methodology and the best tools on the market to deliver mission success faster and at lower costs. Committed to maintaining the highest standards, Alion is ISO 9001:2008 certified and maintains CMMI Level 3-appraised development facilities. Based just outside of Washington, D.C., we help our clients turn big ideas into real solutions. To see the De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate in action, visit www.alion.ca.