OREANDA-NEWS. The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, announced today that the Government of Canada has awarded a USD 287 million contract to General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada for the provision and integration of an enhanced surveillance suite on to Canadian LAV III Upgrade vehicles, known as LAV 6.0.

The upgraded surveillance system will include a 10-meter retractable mast, an Operator Control Station and a surveillance suite inclusive of radar, thermal/day and image intensification sights, laser range finder and GPS mounted on a stabilized platform. These enhancements will allow for superior detection ranges, on-the-move operation, integrated silent watch power management and the transmission of images through the communications system.

"General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada continues their 37 year partnership with the Government of Canada," said Danny Deep, vice president of General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada. "More than 20 years ago, we designed and delivered to the Canadian Army the Coyote vehicle which at the time was the best reconnaissance/surveillance vehicle in the world. We are now privileged to deliver the next generation of advanced surveillance capability to the Canadian soldier."

Deliveries of LAV 6.0 vehicles equipped with the upgraded surveillance suite will commence in December 2016.