Lockheed Martin wins frigate upgrade contract

An American story:

Lockheed Martin Corp. will install, integrate and support new combat systems for Canadian Navy frigates under a $2 billion contract [Update: more on the FELEX modernization program here].

Under the contract, Lockheed Martin Canada [which ended up the sole bidder] will furnish a new command and control system, radar, tactical data links, electronic support measures, and other warfare capabilities for 12 Halifax-class frigates [see here] that were commissioned from 1992 to 1997, company officials said in a Nov. 10 statement. Lockheed Martin will also maintain existing command and control systems until the entire fleet has been retrofitted.

The company expects to hire 200 new employees in eastern Canada to conduct the work.

Team members include Saab Systems, Elisra, IBM Canada, CAE Professional Services, L-3 Electronic Systems and xwave.

Lockheed Martin Canada is the original manufacturer and combat systems integrator for the Halifax-class frigates. The parent company, based in Bethesda, Md., ranks No. 1 on Washington Technology’s 2008 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.

Two Canadian headlines that demonstrate exactly how defence contracting is viewed in this country:

Lockheed Martin to hire 75 software, systems engineers

$2B deal to add 200 jobs at Lockheed
50 employees to be hired in Ottawa for navy contract

The LM press release is here (and here).

Update: Lots more background here--American source, naturally.