Trident Maritime Systems UK Delivers Advanced Visual Landing Aids for the River-Class Destroyers

Trident Maritime Systems UK (TMS UK) is proud to announce the signing of a contract with Irving Shipbuilding Inc. (ISI) to supply Visual Landing Aids (VLAs) for the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) River-Class Destroyers. This milestone marks the culmination of two years of close collaboration, during which TMS UK has worked diligently to develop a cutting-edge solution tailored to the operational needs of the RCN.

VLAs are critical for naval aviation operations, ensuring precision, safety, and efficiency during aircraft landings on warships, particularly in challenging maritime environments. By combining TMS UK’s expertise in maritime technology with ISI’s leadership in naval shipbuilding, this partnership guarantees a state-of-the-art system that enhances the combat readiness and operational effectiveness of Canada’s next-generation naval fleet.

Project Overview & Strategic Importance

River-Class Destroyers & Their Role

The River-Class Destroyers represent a pivotal advancement in the modernization of the RCN fleet. Designed to replace the aging Halifax-class frigates, these next-generation warships will serve as the backbone of Canada’s naval combat capability, ensuring enhanced maritime security in both national and international waters. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the River-Class Destroyers will play a crucial role in defense, surveillance, and multi-domain operations alongside Canada’s allied naval forces. 

A key element of these vessels’ operational capability is their ability to support shipborne aviation, including the deployment and recovery of helicopters and unmanned aerial systems (UAS). VLAs provide clear and accurate guidance, reducing landing risks and enhancing operational effectiveness.

Trident Maritime Systems’ Contribution

As a leader in maritime systems engineering, TMS UK has been selected to design, manufacture, and deliver the VLAs for the River-Class Destroyers. This contract underscores TMS UK’s reputation for providing mission-critical solutions that enhance the safety and operational efficiency of modern naval fleets.

The VLA system incorporates advanced illumination, guidance, and signaling technologies that enable precise helicopter landings in diverse operational conditions, including low visibility and high sea states. By providing real-time visual cues and optimized landing guidance, the system significantly enhances naval aviation safety and supports multi-mission capabilities for the RCN.

The Collaboration & Innovation Behind the VLAs

A Two-Year Partnership with ISI

TMS UK has worked closely with ISI for the past two years to develop a VLA system that meets the operational needs of the RCN. This effort has been a collaboration between TMS UK and Trident Maritime Systems Canada (TMS Canada), leveraging expertise from both teams to ensure a seamless, high-performance solution.

A key factor in the success of this project has been the ability to align the system’s design and functionality with the specific requirements of the River-Class Destroyers. By combining TMS UK’s experience in advanced maritime systems with the manufacturing and integration capabilities of TMS Canada, the project has delivered a system that enhances the safety and efficiency of naval aviation operations. This partnership has also helped streamline the transition from development to production, ensuring the VLAs will be fully operational when the new destroyers enter service.

Innovative Design & Engineering Excellence

The VLA system incorporates advanced technology to enhance aircraft landing precision and safety in challenging maritime conditions. Designed to provide clear and reliable guidance, the system ensures pilots can execute safe landings even in low visibility, rough seas, and adverse weather conditions.

One of the key advancements in the VLAs is its integrated lighting and visual cueing system, which improves situational awareness for pilots and flight deck crews. The system is designed to minimize errors by offering real-time visual guidance, reducing the risks associated with night operations and high-sea-state landings.

To ensure the highest levels of performance and reliability, TMS UK has subjected the VLAs to rigorous testing under simulated operational conditions. These tests evaluate durability, responsiveness, and effectiveness in various environmental scenarios, confirming that the system meets the RCN’s strict operational standards. With a design focused on precision, safety, and resilience, the VLAs will provide a critical capability for the River-Class Destroyers, supporting a range of naval aviation missions.

Economic & Supply Chain Impact

Supporting Canadian Industry & Jobs

The build and commissioning of the VLAs for the River-Class Destroyers will take place in Canada, reinforcing TMS UK’s commitment to supporting domestic industry. By localizing production, this project not only ensures high-quality manufacturing standards but also strengthens Canada’s defense sector through job creation and economic investment.

The contract with ISI brings significant benefits to Canada’s industrial base by engaging local suppliers, engineers, and skilled workers throughout the development and production phases. From precision engineering to final assembly, multiple Canadian companies will contribute to the successful delivery of this critical system. This collaboration ensures that expertise and innovation remain within the country while fostering long-term sustainability in the naval supply chain.

Beyond direct job creation, the project stimulates economic activity in related industries, including advanced manufacturing, research and development, and logistics. By investing in Canadian capabilities, TMS UK is helping to develop a highly skilled workforce and reinforcing the country’s position as a leader in maritime defense solutions.

Strengthening UK-Canada Maritime Collaboration

TMS UK’s work on the VLAs is a result of close cooperation between its teams in the UK and Canada. This cross-border collaboration enables the exchange of specialized knowledge and technical expertise, ensuring that the final product meets the highest standards of performance and reliability.

By leveraging the strengths of both operations, TMS UK has successfully developed a system tailored to the needs of the RCN while also advancing global maritime innovation. The integration of UK design expertise with Canadian manufacturing capabilities demonstrates the value of strong international partnerships in defense technology development.

Additionally, this project enhances supply chain resilience between the two countries. By working together, TMS UK and TMS Canada are creating a more robust and adaptable supply network capable of supporting future naval programs. This strengthened relationship not only benefits the River-Class Destroyer project but also lays the foundation for continued cooperation on future defense initiatives.

Looking Ahead: Future of Naval Aviation Support

Commitment to the Royal Canadian Navy

The integration of VLAs into the River-Class Destroyers is an important step in supporting the RCN’s modernization efforts. As naval operations become increasingly complex, reliable landing systems are essential for maintaining operational readiness and ensuring the safety of shipborne aviation.

TMS UK continues to focus on advancements in maritime aviation technology, including improvements in landing system automation and visual guidance solutions. These developments aim to enhance situational awareness for pilots and flight deck crews, ensuring safe and efficient operations in a variety of environmental conditions.

Final Remarks & Industry Leadership

The collaboration on this project reflects a shared commitment to delivering effective and reliable solutions that meet the operational needs of the RCN. By working closely with ISI, TMS UK is contributing to Canada’s long-term defense capabilities and supporting the growth of the domestic defense sector.

As the project progresses, TMS UK will continue to ensure that the VLA systems meet the highest performance standards, supporting the operational success of Canada’s future naval fleet.