Precision Guidance Kits being integrated into CAF M777C1 Howitzers

Army News

Shilo, Manitoba – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Starting this week, the 1st Regiment of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery will be integrating a new piece of equipment, known as the Precision Guidance Kit, at Canadian Forces Base Shilo, Manitoba.

The integration of the Precision Guidance Kit, which can be used in place of the existing fuse on a conventional shell, transforms artillery rounds into Global Positioning System-guided munitions, allowing trajectory adjustments to be made in-flight, thereby enabling targets to be hit with greater precision.

The Precision Guidance Kit, a kit attached to a round being fired from a Howitzer, during trials at Canadian Forces Base Shilo training ground by the 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery on November 1, 2016.
Photo by MCpl Gerald Cormier, Third Canadian Division Public Affairs

The Precision Guidance Kit will bring greater accuracy to a normally unguided projectile, and in turn reduce ammunition requirements and the risk of collateral damage. This advanced system is yet another example of the Canadian Army’s commitment to ensuring its soldiers are well-equipped with first-class capabilities.

“Developing capabilities like the Precision Guidance Kit will improve the Canadian Army’s ability to more effectively engage a target through the use of artillery. A guided projectile system will reduce the risk of collateral damage, neutralize a small target with fewer rounds, engage targets closer to friendly troops, and increase safety, all while being more cost-efficient.”– Colonel Nicolas Pilon, Director Land Requirements, Canadian Army

The Precision Guidance Kit is a fuse that affixes to the tip of a conventional high explosive artillery projectile in the same manner as any in-service artillery fuse and controls detonation of the round.
The Precision Guidance Kit uses conventional rounds and the in-service M777C1 howitzer with its advanced digital Fire Control System.

The Precision Guidance Kit initiative was started in Fiscal Year 2010-2011 and is expected to close-out in 2018. The approximate cost is forecast at $28 million. This covers the amount to integrate the Precision Guidance Kit technology to work with the Canadian M777C1 and also covers the cost of purchasing M795 projectiles and Precision Guidance Kit fuses.

The Precision Guidance Kit is manufactured by Orbital ATK in the United States. There are no Canadian companies that currently manufacture this capability.

CAF to invest at least $100M in green infrastructure

This article was posted about 2 weeks ago by CBC-News, and I missed it. (My Apologies) Here it is now if you haven't yet read/or heard about the CAF's new "green" initiative. 

By: Brett Ruskin, CBC News

CFB Greenwood in Nova Scotia is getting greener.

The military base is among seven slated to receive tens of millions of dollars worth of energy efficiency upgrades over the next decade.

And the program won't cost taxpayers a cent.

Companies will compete to provide the infrastructure improvements. The selected company (or companies) will finance the upgrades themselves, and will be paid using money saved on heating and electricity bills.

"These projects improve DND infrastructure at no cost to the taxpayer," the Department of National Defence said in a statement to CBC News.

The DND has issued separate tenders for work at CFB Greenwood and six other Canadian Forces bases and wings across the country:
Trenton (Ontario).
Alert (Nunavut).
Cold Lake (Alberta).
Esquimalt (British Columbia).
Shilo (Manitoba).
Petawawa (Ontario).

Each contract is valued between $13 million and $15 million. In total, the DND expects the investments to total $100 million to $175 million.

17% drop in emissions

In 2010, the federal government committed to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions to 17 per cent below levels measured in 2005. As part of that promise, the DND has so far reduced its emissions to 8.7 per cent below 2005 levels. 

Helicopter pilots walk across the tarmac at Nova Scotia's CFB Greenwood, one of seven military bases slated to receive part of $100 million worth of energy efficiency upgrades over the next decade. (Brett Ruskin/CBC)

CFB Greenwood is among the top performers, with current emissions levels at 21 per cent below 2005 levels.

"I was pretty excited about it," Col. Patrick Thauberger said about when he heard of the infrastructure program.

"This is a great way to make the work environment a little better for people. And with no up front cost to us," he said.


Thauberger said these investments will also reduce maintenance costs.

"It's far fewer times that we will have people going up on scaffolding or ladders to change light bulbs," he said.

Defence review looms

This cost-conscious program coincides with the ongoing nationwide defence spending review.

The government is assessing its military needs to decide how future funding should be allocated. That review is expected to conclude this year, with the results unveiled in 2017.

The energy efficiency contracts are now open for bids on the government's website.

Later this year, DND officials will select contractors, determine the exact scope of each project and approve the efficiency upgrades.

3500 CAF Members set to participate in EX PROMETHEAN RAM

DND Press Release:

April 4, 2016 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Approximately 3500 soldiers from the Canadian Army’s 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (1 CMBG) will take part in Exercise PROMETHEAN RAM in Wainwright, Alberta, from April 6 to May 5, 2016. This training is an important component of operational preparations for the Edmonton and Shilo-based military personnel.

Exercise PROMETHEAN RAM is a key step in the Canadian Army’s preparation for Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE 16 and the “Road to High Readiness” training program, which prepares soldiers for domestic or expeditionary deployments, as mandated by the Government of Canada.

Exercise PROMETHEAN RAM is a live-fire exercise that verifies the Brigade’s offensive and defensive combat capabilities in a deployed environment. Soldiers of 1 CMBG will emerge from this demanding exercise as a highly cohesive team, having refined their battlefield skills, synchronized their combined arms effects, and expanded confidence in their weapon systems.

“Exercise PROMETHEAN RAM is critical to preparing our soldiers for the full spectrum of operational tasks. The exercise’s challenging live-fire training will enhance the fundamental soldier skills of our troops, build their warrior spirit, and increase their confidence with the Brigade’s weapons systems.”  Brigadier-General Trevor Cadieu, Commander, 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group

Quick Facts

Exercise PROMETHEAN RAM involves artillery, armour, engineer, infantry, tactical helicopter, logistical, and medical components training by day and by night.

Exercise PROMETHEAN RAM ensures that 1 CMBG is prepared for the next High Readiness exercise, MAPLE RESOLVE, which is the culminating event that will confirm the Brigade’s operational readiness. 

Starting in July 2016, 1 CMBG will serve as Canada’s High Readiness Brigade, prepared to provide troops from the individual to the Brigade level for the full spectrum of operational tasks, including security force assistance and combat.

Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE is the pinnacle of the Army’s yearly training. Hosted by the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre in Wainwright, Alberta, and taking place from May 12 to June 17, 2016, it is the final validation exercise before a Task Force is declared ready to deploy on either domestic or international operations.