Lockheed Martin Canada opened its new Impact Centre in Ottawa today, the company announced in a statement. The technology and innovation incubator is designed to bring Canadian industry and the academic community together for research and development, and to promote the growth of small businesses in the defence and technology sectors. The initial focus will be on naval systems and naval combat systems. A description of the Impact Centre on the company’s website says that the initiative is intended to accelerate technology development and promote a culture of innovation in Canada.
The Centre will serve as both a collaboration and demonstration area for customers and industry, and will work to further STEM education in Canada by providing a venue for students and community partners to come together. It will also be used to launch new products.
We can offer industry tremendous value by sharing our broad range of knowledge and skills forged during the execution of large complex domestic and international programs, like the Halifax Class Modernization Project, New Zealand ANZAC Frigate Systems Upgrade, and Canada’s new Arctic/Off-shore Patrol Ships.
The Impact Centre will “harness” technologies in sustainment—the provision of long-term support for prolonged military operations—performance-based logistics, training, and solar energy, it says. Lockheed Martin is inviting enterprises to take advantage of its new facility, particularly international companies that are seeking entry into Canada, small or medium Canadian companies, government agencies, and colleges and universities.
Besides naval combat technologies, the company says it is also interested in innovation in training, cyber security, software development, integration and test, performance-based logistics, and energy solutions. Impact Centre partners will be able to take advantage of technology advances and engineering expertise to develop new products and strategies for sustainable business.
Lockheed Martin Canada’s vice president and general manager for Mission Systems and Training, Rosemary Chapdelaine, said in the company statement that the Centre can offer industry “tremendous value” by sharing knowledge and skills gained from its work with programs like the Halifax Class Modernization Project, New Zealand ANZAC Frigate Systems Upgrade, and Canada’s new Arctic/Off-shore Patrol Ships. “As Canada’s only domestic combat system integrator, the IMPACT Centre will open the door for other companies to join in our success as well as drive innovation for future defence capability with products developed in Canada by Canadians.”
