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Dash 7 aircraft which will carry Transport Canada's third MSS 6000 system
(Note the lookout window on top of the aircraft, for operator/observer situation overview, a feature that makes this Dash 7 unique)
The Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) has received an order from Transport Canada for a third MSS 6000 Maritime Surveillance System.
“We are very excited about ordering the third MSS 6000 as it is in line with our vision of having three of Canada's oceans protected with three similarly equipped aircraft. The first system is providing us with an array of quality data that has exceeded our expectations and we look forward to commissioning the second and third systems. We really appreciate the continued support from the SSC," says Louis Armstrong, Program Manager for Transport Canada's National Aerial Surveillance Program and the technical authority for procurement contract.
“We are honoured to work with Transport Canada again and to be involved in improving Canada’s national aerial surveillance program even further, says Daniel Siberg, Project Manager at SSC.
Canada’s New Government will invest $5 million over three years to modernize Transport Canada's Dash 7 Surveillance Aircraft with a maritime surveillance system. This aircraft will conduct surveillance operations in Canada's Arctic during the shipping season and over Canada's Great Lakes during the remainder of the year. The aircraft will be capable of operating in all weather conditions and during hours of darkness or reduced visibility. Transport Canada plans to conduct 25 to 30 per cent of its pollution patrols during hours of darkness, as this is when many illegal discharges are expected to occur.
Canada’s first MSS 6000 system was taken into operation in 2006 and is used primarily to conduct pollution surveillance in the Atlantic, Quebec and Ontario regions. The second system, which is to be installed and commissioned in late 2007, will be used for surveillance over Canada's West Coast and Western Arctic Waters. Delivery of the third system is planned for summer 2008.
Facts
The systems for Canada consist of a SLAR (Side-Looking Airborne Radar); an IR/UV (Infrared/Ultraviolet) line scanner; an Airborne AIS (Automated Identification System) for receiving ship identity information; an electro-optical infrared camera system, a satellite communications system, a high-resolution digital photography camera and a video system for visual documentation for evidence purposes. Data from all systems is processed, integrated and presented in one integrated view to the operator. All recordings are annotated with GPS data and digitally stored in an onboard geographical database. Data and digital images are presented integrated with an electronic nautical chart database, and also correlated with the mission report, all at the fingertips of the user, to ensure maximum efficiency during routine surveillance as well as in emergency situations. The MSS 6000 software will further allow transmission of data to the ground in real time as well as replay and analysis of the recorded mission on a separate ground work station. |
For further information please contact
Mr. Daniel Siberg, tel. +46 8 627 62 96
or e-mail airbornesystems@ssc.se