30 May 24. FORC3 partners with Calian to bring a world-class combat vehicle virtual training system to the Canadian Army
The FORC3 team, comprised of multiple Canadian industry-leading land defence solution providers, continues to develop its comprehensive solution for the upcoming Land Vehicle Crew Training System (LVCTS) program. As FORC3 prepares for the final stage of the program, its partners are pleased to announce that Calian Ltd., a well-established integrated training solution provider, has joined the team.
Calian is a preferred provider within the Canadian defence community, as well as for numerous NATO allies. With 25 years of experience delivering robust and relevant simulation and training services for the Canadian Army and NATO, Calian is on the forefront of innovative exercise design and execution support in a rapidly evolving defence environment.
In addition to its military training expertise, Calian is an industry leader in customized multi-domain data interoperability and integration support that enhances both learning and operational decision-making. With a range of products including the Virtual Command and Control Interface (VCCI)) Tool Suite, Calian can federate multiple simulation, C4ISR, and AI-enabled data analytics systems to support cutting-edge training and deliver comprehensive after-action reviews.
The FORC3 partnership
FORC3 includes leading Canadian defence, service, infrastructure, and simulation companies: Rheinmetall Canada (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu), Lockheed Martin Canada (Ottawa), the ADGA Group (Ottawa), Bluedrop Training and Simulation (Halifax), EllisDon Construction and Building Services (London), and REDspace Incorporated (Halifax). Now joined by Calian Ltd., the FORC3 team is strategically positioned to offer the very best training technology and develop Canada’s exportable, industrial, and operational capability.
Collectively, the FORC3 partners currently operate more than 40 global training centres to Canada’s key allies, including NATO and the Five-Eyes Alliance.
“Calian complements FORC3’s technical and operational capabilities. We are very excited and confident that our combined solution and experience represents a compelling value proposition for the Canadian Army” says Pietro Mazzei, CEO of Rheinmetall Canada.
“Calian is thrilled to bring its advanced simulation and interoperability solutions to the forefront of the FORC3 partnership,” stated Donald Whitty, President of Learning at Calian. “With our proven track record in designing and executing comprehensive, multi-domain training environments, we are uniquely equipped to enhance the operational readiness and effectiveness of the Canadian Army.”
29 May 24. Affinity FTS introduces students to the world of work through the Jon Egging Trust’s Flagship Blue Skies Programme. Leading aircraft service and maintenance provider, Affinity Flying Training Services (Affinity) recently delivered a series of sessions as part of the Jon Egging Trust (JET)’s long running Blue Skies programme. The three-year programme is aimed at young people aged 12 to 16 who are at risk of falling out of education due to lack of confidence and life challenges. Blue Skies is delivered as an alternative to in-school sessions, helping participants develop key workplace skills such as teamwork, leadership and resilience. It holds workplace visits, which offer unique insights into a range of career avenues, not only within the aviation sector, but also in sectors linked to space and entrepreneurship. These visits aim to expose students to new and exciting opportunities in the world of work which they may have not considered or thought out of reach.
Affinity has supported JET’s Blue Skies programme for several years, during which it has not only hosted Blue Skies sessions but also lent its support for events including graduations and annual dinners. The success of the Blue Skies programme bolsters Affinity’s existing track record as an SME with high levels of engagement with local communities across the UK.
Since the start of the year, Affinity has supported five Blue Skies Level 3 sessions for students across Lincolnshire, giving them an insight into what an aviation organisation does on a daily basis. The Affinity team were on hand to support the employability sessions which highlighted the similarities between work and school, office etiquette, social media tips and tricks, finance, alongside wider practical advice on the world of work. The programme concluded with Affinity’s HR Team alongside other local JET partners holding a series of ‘Sprinterviews’. These Sprinterviews were a new activity introduced this year and allowed students to take part in mock interviews and CV writing workshops to gain greater experience to prepare them after they leave education.
This year, the Affinity team has supported in-school sessions at Priory Witham Academy and Barnes Wallis Academy in Lincolnshire, and also hosted students during visits to RAF Cranwell, where they were able to see aircraft up close, and watch take off and landings from the flight line.
Speaking on the programme Business Operations Director at Affinity, Alex Davison stated: “The Blue Skies Programme plays a pivotal role in opening doors for young people across the UK. Since the beginning of the year, the programme has delivered tailored workshops to give the new generation a flavour of the opportunities that lie in front of them. Affinity has seized the opportunity to participate in this scheme, not only motivating students to explore a range of exciting career pathways, but also empowering them with the confidence to shape their future.”
Fi Collins, Director of Communications and Fundraising at JET stated: “At JET, we simply couldn’t deliver our programmes without the support of our inspiring network of corporate partners across the UK who so generously open up their workplaces and volunteer their time to bring to life career possibilities and build aspiration, self-belief and employability skills in our students. We’re incredibly grateful to the team at Affinity for their dedication to JET and our students in Lincolnshire this past year and beyond.”
About the Jon Egging Trust
Founded in 2011 by Dr Emma Egging OBE, following the tragic death of her husband, Red Arrows pilot Flt Lt Jon Egging, the Jon Egging Trust (JET) supports vulnerable young people to build social and emotional learning skills and reengage with education.
Over the past decade, JET has supported more than 40,000 young lives through its long-term Blue Skies programmes which build confidence, resilience, employability skills and aspiration, and link students to inspiring STEM workplaces and relatable role models who allow them to think differently about their futures. Blue Skies programmes are delivered in partnership with JET’s network of high profile corporate and military partners across the UK.
About Affinity FTS
Affinity Flying Training Services is a 50-50 joint venture between Elbit Systems UK and KBR. Since its formation in 2016, Affinity has delivered over 60,000 flying hours across the UK. As a key partner of the UK Military Flying Training System (UK MFTS), the company currently delivers pilot training, procurement, operations and maintenance services, at RAF Cranwell, RAF Barkston Heath and RAF Valley on three different types of aircraft.
28 May 24. Israel inducts Ofer training helicopter. Israel has inducted the Leonardo AW119Kx Koala (named Ofer [Fawn] in national service) training helicopter, with the first flight at the Israeli Air Force (IAF) Flight Academy at Hatzerim Air Force Base.
The IAF announced the milestone on 26 May, marking the beginning of operations of the single-engined helicopter that was acquired in 2019 to replace the ageing Bell OH-58 Kiowas (named Saifan [Sword] in national service) it has fielded since 1970.
“Welcome ‘Ofer’! Today was the first flight of the Ofer (AW119Kx) helicopter – the new flight training helicopter of the flight school,” the IAF posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
The IAF decided to procure a new training helicopter to better bridge the technological and performance gaps between the OH-58 and front-line operational types.
(Source: Janes)
27 May 24. Russia deploys military helicopters to Belarus, joint exercises announced. Russia has sent more than ten aircraft to Belarus, where joint exercises by the air forces and air defence troops have begun.
Source: the monitoring project Belarusian Hajun on Telegram; Ministry of Defence of Belarus on Telegram
Quote: “According to reports yesterday, two Russian Aerospace Forces helicopters, a Mi-24 and a Mі-8, arrived at the Baranavichy airfield on 25 May. It subsequently became clear that more helicopters had been transferred from Russia to Belarus.
According to an update, eight helicopters in total (Mі-24s and Mі-8s of the Russian Aerospace Forces) arrived in Baranavichy from Seshcha (Russia) on 25 May.”
Details: According to observers, the following Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft are currently stationed in Baranavichy:
- two Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft
- at least four Su-30SM fighter jets
- eight Mi-24 and Mі-8 helicopters.
The Defence Ministry of Belarus, for its part, has reported that in the period from 27 to 31 May they will be “conducting joint flight tactical exercises with the Air Force and Air Defence Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus and the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation under the leadership of the commander of the air force and air defence forces, within the framework of improving the unified regional air defence system of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation, and in the interests of increasing the interaction and training of command and control bodies and flight personnel”.
The drills will involve Belarusian military aviation units, anti-aircraft missile troops and radio-technical troops and Russian reconnaissance, fighter, and army aviation crews.
Quote: “The training will address issues of managing diverse aviation forces and organising interaction during combat training missions.
The primary focus during the exercises will be to cover the responsibilities of protecting state and military facilities from air assaults. Furthermore, at aviation ranges, crews will need to work on a number of practical challenges in order to cover ground forces.”
(Source: Google/https://www.pravda.com.ua/)