Textron Systems Canada Inc., a Textron Inc. company, and Rheinmetall Canada Inc., today announced a $205 million CAD contract for work to be performed by Rheinmetall Canada on the Canadian Forces Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) project.

Rheinmetall Canada will earn $152 million CAD during the TAPV program's production phase - performing critical engineering, and production work at its facility in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. The contract includes $53 million CAD Rheinmetall Canada will earn developing Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) products and as the primary in-service support hub for the vehicle fleet during its service life. It also fulfills a portion of Textron's participation in Canada’s Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) Policy arising from the government's purchase of 500 Textron TAPVs.

During the production phase of the TAPV fleet, Rheinmetall will perform the critical final assembly and test of the vehicles. Rheinmetall will also integrate essential sub-systems such as the Remotely Controlled Weapon Station, the Vehicle Navigation System and the Driver Vision Enhancement System. The production phase of the acquisition contract is expected to span from July 2014 to March 2016.

Once fielded, Rheinmetall will provide In-Service Support (ISS) for the entire TAPV fleet, also at its facility in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. ISS will start with Initial Operational Capability when the first 47 vehicles are delivered, planned for 2014, and is expected to end in 2021, five years after the last vehicle is delivered.

"This partnership with Textron Systems is of strategic importance to Rheinmetall Canada," said Rheinmetall Canada’s President and CEO, Dr. Andreas Knackstedt. "We are extremely pleased to work with Textron Systems delivering state of the art equipment to the Army, and value for taxpayers' money, while creating highly skilled jobs in Canada."

In June 2012, the Textron TAPV Team, led by Textron Systems Canada, was selected to manufacture 500 Canadian Forces Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) with options for up to 100 more. The TAPV contract has a value of $603.4 million CAD, with an additional five-year in-service support contract of $105.4 million CAD.

Ottawa-based Textron Systems Canada, as prime contractor, will provide overall TAPV program and configuration management, act as design authority for change management, coordinate vehicle integration activities by Canadian subcontractors, and manage the In-Service Support contract. Textron Systems Canada will also be implementing a pan-Canadian Industrial and Regional Benefits program designed to bring new expertise and opportunities to Canadian companies.

"Rheinmetall Canada is a key TAPV teammate and will remain so as we deliver the TAPV and related economic benefits to Canada," said Neil Rutter, general manager of Textron Systems Canada. "In the coming months, we will be signing many more agreements with other best-in-class Canadian suppliers who will help us deliver a fleet of Textron TAPVs that will provide Canadian soldiers with unmatched performance and protection for decades."

The Canadian Textron TAPV team also includes Kongsberg Protech Systems Canada (London, ON) and EODC - Engineering Office Deisenroth Canada (Ottawa, ON). As the program is ramped up, many other Canadian companies are expected to figure prominently in the Textron TAPV supply chain.

The Textron TAPV is the most reliable and technologically advanced vehicle of its kind. It draws on the company’s more than 45 years of experience in the design and production of armoured vehicles. The Textron TAPV will provide the Canadian Forces with the optimal balance of survivability, mobility and versatility, while delivering outstanding performance in the world’s most challenging environments. Extensively tested to confirm ballistic, blast, mobility and reliability levels, the Textron TAPV has been engineered to meet and exceed Canada's requirements.

Textron
31.10.2012