Canadian Forces to receive PlumeSIM wireless virtual training system

The Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) has awarded a contract to Patlon Aircraft & Industries to deliver a simulator system for the Canadian Armed Forces personnel.

Under the $6.6m contract, Patlon and Argon Electronics will partner to supply PlumeSIM wireless virtual training system to train Canadian Armed Forces personnel with new portable devices that detect chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals during missions.

The cost-effective and environmentally-friendly PlumeSIM system has been designed to electronically simulate the release of chemical agents under a wide variety of environmental conditions.

Patlon will also provide initial training and in-service support over the entire operation life of the products, under the terms of the contract.

Labour and Member of Parliament minister Halton Lisa Raitt said that the new contract will provide Canadian Armed Forces personnel with the equipment they need to protect themselves in the often dangerous and challenging environments of modern warfare.

The simulation system will be utilised by the Canadian Armed Forces Fire and Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear Academy at Canadian Forces Base Borden, in southern Ontario as well as by chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear defence instructors at Canadian Armed Forces units across Canada.

National Defence associate minister and State minister (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (La Francophonie) Bernard Valcourt said, "To that end, this contract will not only help to ensure that our troops have the most cutting-edge training technology to prepare them for operations, it will also bolster economic benefits to Canada for the years to come."

Deliveries of the simulation system are scheduled to commence in the spring of 2013, while operational capability is expected in the next few years.